LOKUMU MONTHLY: Noella Coursaris Musunka

Photo courtesy of Noella Coursaris Masters and  www.blackopalbeauty.com

There are some truly amazing amazing individuals of Congolese descent who are determined to leave a mark in this world!

 Take model Noella Coursaris Musunka for instance (now Masters after being wed), she is a dedicated humanitarian, founder of the Goerges Malaika Foundation (GMF) , a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to offer resources to facilitate education opportunities to young Congolese girls aged 5-18 in the DR Congo.

I have been following Noella’s work for the passed four years, watching her grow and evolve in her quest to reduce barriers  preventing girls from accessing quality education, changing lives and inspiring others along the way. I have met her on a few occasions too and every time she speaks, her passion resonates through. Like an electric jolt, whenever she addresses the topic of education, one cannot  fail to be stimulated by the ideas presented nor dismiss her passion and desire to see change in the Congo of tomorrow.

This month’s Lokumu Monthly pays tribute to her. I must say that it was a tough one to decide because there were other outstanding individuals who made the mark. Lisette Mibo is a good example, an established UK-based fashion model, whose professionalism,  hard work and dedication landed her recognition among her peers at the BEFFTA Awards here in the UK for the ‘Model of the Year 2012‘ category.

Educating a girl, is educating a nation

GMF endeavors to permanently alter the cycle of illiteracy and poverty

Since opening the door of its first school in Lubumbashi in September 2011, the Georges Malaika Foundation (GMF) has enrolled 150 girls tuition free. In addition, it has built two wells in the village of Kalebuka where the school is situated, now a hub for clean water; an indispensable resource for its local community.

Not just a pretty face (having graced editorial pages of Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, Arise, GQ, and Esquire as an international model),  Mrs Masters has been featured in a 30-minute special on CNN’s African Voices and CNN Connect the World.

Devoted to the cause, with unquenchable thirst  for raising awareness on issues confronting destitute Congolese girls, she addressed the Congolese parliament and UNICEF highlighting measures which needed to be implemented in order to improve their situation. Masters also took center stage at the 2012 Opening Plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York and most recently hosted the Cinema for Peace Gala in Los Angeles, honoring Hollywood actor Ben Affleck  for his Eastern Congo Initiative.

On January 10, 2013, Noella Coursaris Musunka (Masters) was honored at the second annual  GOOD Award in New York City for her outstanding contribution through the Georges Malaika Foundation. A well deserved award for a truly inspiring woman and her honorable team. It can only get better and better.

Noella, I salute you.

Get involved or make a donation today.

Photo taken by me in London at a recent peaceful protest against human rights abuses in the DR Congo

Photo taken via the Goerges Malaika Facebook Fan page

Noella Coursaris Masters at the GOOD Awards 2013 with founder Russel Simmons and model Selia Ebanks. Singer Estelle performed at the GOOD Award
Photo taken via the Goerges Malaika Facebook Fan page

Photo taken via goodawards.org

• Find GMF on Facebook
• Follow GMF on Twitter
• Visit her website

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