Founded in 2007 by Congolese/Cypriot international model and philanthropist, Noella Coursaris Musunka, Malaika is a registered nonprofit in New York and in the DRC. Malaika’s overarching goal is to cultivate the leadership capacity of the people of Kalebuka in southeastern DRC. In doing so, we are demonstrating a community-driven model that offers a comprehensive network of programs designed to increase individual opportunity. Our hope is to work with others to adopt and replicate this model in more places.

Over the past decade, working with the community, Malaika has brought education and healthcare to more than 430 girls through its school; provided vocational, health, and sports programs to more than 5,000 youth and adults in the area; and built and refurbished 28 wells to supply clean water to more than 32,000 people annually. 

Built from the ground up by Malaika, the free, accredited primary and secondary school provides 400 girls with a holistic curriculum that teaches literacy, languages, STEM, health, civics, and arts. The curriculum is highly effective; all of the 6th grade classes so far have demonstrated a 100% pass rate on the Grade 6 national exam. 

Since many of the girls struggle with malnutrition, we provide each girl with two nutritious meals per day. Our student health facility offers regular check ups to prevent common diseases like malaria and to improve quality of life overall.  
Created partially in partnership with FIFA, our community center offers over 5,000 youth and adults community-building sports initiatives and training in literacy, farming skills, and entrepreneurship. 

If you would like to sponsor a student or support our work in another way, please visit malaika.org. Ninety percent of funds donated to Malaika go directly to our community programs, and all U.S. donations are 100% tax deductible.

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Teams at Malaika

Development