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One World Activists

Creating Opportunity & Resources in Congo

Noella Coursaris

International model and humanitarian Noella Coursaris Musunka built The Malaika School in her native Congo, providing free quality education to young girls and water to over 10,000 people.

18:06 | 2015

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About Noella Coursaris

Noëlla was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a Cypriot father and a Congolese mother. At five years old, her life changed when her father suddenly died. Noëlla's mother could no longer support her, so she was sent to live with relatives in Europe. Throughout her difficult childhood, Noëlla had little or no contact with home. Whilst living with relatives she was allowed to pursue her education and Noëlla's determination as she progressed through school and then onto higher education led to her receiving a degree in Business Management.

Shortly after finishing her degree, Noëlla's friend entered her into a modelling competition and she was chosen to appear in a campaign for Agent Provocateur. Noëlla did various campaigns in New York and London and modeling took Noëlla from the pages of fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle and Vanity Fair to a global stage.

In 2007, Noëlla founded Malaika, a nonprofit grassroots organization that empowers Congolese girls and their communities through education and health programs. Malaika’s projects are impacting thousands of lives in the community of Kalebuka and in Congo and are all offered completely free of charge.

These include: a school that provides an accredited, holistic curriculum for over 370 girls; a Community Center built in partnership with FIFA that provides education, health, and sports programmes to over 5,000 youth and adults per year; clean water for over 30,000 people each year through the building and refurbishment of 20 wells.

Visit her website https://www.noellacoursaris.com/

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