BP: How did you get to be involved and participate in the Clinton Global Initiative?
What was your role?
NC: It was by word of mouth. I became involved some 3 years ago when asked to help strengthen the Congo network within the organisation. I have addressed the CGI on a couple of occasions along with Ben Affleck and the Minister of Education for the DRC, representing the work of the GMF on the main stage.
The 2014 conference was amazing as when the delegates walked into the foyer they were greeted with huge posters on the pillars of GMF.
BP: How do you see the ‘Femme Africaine’ evolving and becoming part of the success of future generations?
NC: Women are an important key to the future of the world and they need a bigger voice to enable them to bring about change and solutions. Education enables them to be more empowered through gender equality: and they are then able to pass on their knowledge to family and friends.
BP: How do you see your involvement for the future of GMF?
NC: I have two kids of my own, and GMF is my 3rd. I say this as my involvement in GMF is a lifetime commitment that fills me with pride. The girls at the school are not just numbers, they are individuals like my own kids who face challenges as they grow and develop. We now have a school, a community centre, and wells for fresh water, and are providing them with free quality education.
GMF CAMPAIGNS
BP: Using your platform as a successful model is remarkable. How do you see your campaigns evolving?
NC: I have always wanted to give something back to my home. My modelling career has helped me enormously in achieving far more than I could have imagined with the GMF and school as it is now. As I mentioned GMF is a commitment, and whilst I shall continue to model, I shall use the growing awareness of what has been achieved to champion the cause of education women and empowerment through our partners, and more recently being asked to talk with Africa Together at Cambridge University.
BP: Volunteerism is important. What would you like the PERREAULT readers to know in order to get involved?
NC: It would be wonderful if your readers were involved in supporting GMF with fund raising, whether this is by donating their birthdays, hosting an event, sponsoring a girl for $77:50 a month, helping with school supplies, or even promoting our work through social media. i am myself volunteering at GMF like all the international team, we only pay the local staff.
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empower Congolese girls
and their communities