Page 64
Community Leader of the Year Nominees
Nöella Coursaris Musunka
Philanthropist,Mother, Leader. A striking philanthropist Noëlla has used her voice and platform to create vast opportunities for young women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Noëlla established the Malaika foundation in 2007. Her vision stemmed from her visit to homeland at 18 years old to visit her mother. She witnessed first hand the lack of opportunity for women and abject poverty in the land. The foundation empowers thousands of women through education and health programmes.
However Noëlla did not stop there! Malaika school opened in 2011 in the DRC educating women from primary through to secondary school. Not only providing education but nutrition also to ensure students have the right resources for attainment. As amazing as Noëlla is she does not attribute the foundation, school and it’s accomplishments to herself alone. In our former issue Noëlla highlights the importance of community “The success of Malaika is because it’s all community driven.”
Noëlla is the epitome of a community leader, worthy of recognition for efforts to tackle poverty and fairer education for the girl child.
Yasmin Sidhwa
Dedicating her life to using theatre to tell other people’s stories, Yasmin Sidhwa is a dedicated community leader. With over 30 years experience as a professional actor and director. She has opened up the work of theatre to people from various socio-economic backgrounds. Especially those that would never imagine having a place in theatre. Currently the creative director of the Mandala Theatre Company, which she founded as a community interest company.
Her vision for Mandala is to use the power of theatre to change lives. Whilst building a community that adopts social justice. She has already started work alongside the department of Social Policy at Oxford University to research Afghan migrants and their challenges to integration and identity in the UK. Bringing these stories to life Yasmin continues to bring hope and light through the creative arts.