Last August, nearly 200 portraits of ambitious students were displayed in Lubumbashi, celebrating their dreams and aspirations for the future.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is frequently discussed for its complex circumstances, as it is regarded as the world's richest country in terms of natural resources, yet it remains one of the poorest nations. In this context, it is essential to emphasize the catalysts for change that often emerge from small communities, where a robust support system meets resilience, creating a ripple effect of positive transformations. And it all starts with education: it has the power to transform lives and empower individuals. An educated woman is more likely to give back to her community, using her knowledge and skills to make a tangible difference. Education is widely acknowledged as a crucial human right and an integral force behind economic and social advancement.
Nevertheless, Sub-Saharan Africa encounters substantial hurdles in attaining educational fairness, especially for girls. At the core of Malaika's school mission lays the transformative impact of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, by offering high-quality learning opportunities, the school empowers girls in the region with skills and knowledge that were previously unattainable. Through a safe and nurturing environment, the school encourages its students to dream big and strive for a brighter future, in a nation facing socio-economic difficulties this serves as a beacon of hope and progress.
Students working together to display their portraits on the ground
What inspired the Action
The idea for 'The Next Generation of Leaders' arose from numerous discussions with students about their aspirations and ambitions. In 2023, after the first group of students graduated, I conducted several interviews in which I would often ask them about their career goals: their responses ignited the entire concept. The idea was eagerly embraced by Noella (the founder) and the teachers, who assisted me with the planning of the shoot. Heritier 'Strong' served as a helpful member of our school community and played a crucial role in making the photoshoot possible. We photographed the students in 2023 and the pasting was done the following year. There were limited structures to attach the photos but we were able to utilize the extensive open areas and opted to lay them flat on the ground. The ground-level placement of the photographs brought about numerous challenges, but thanks to the resourcefulness of Papa Lwambe, the school's skilled craftsman, we were able to overcome them all. Student Consolate rallied her friends to help prepare the prints, while various teachers and community members secured each portrait on the floor. With such a large team, we were able to finish in just one hour.
A girl proudly holding a few portraits before the installation
Our objectives
With ‘The Next Generation of Leaders” we wanted to break down cultural barriers in Congo (but also other parts of the world) where women are often confined to traditional roles as homemakers and caregivers. As we lined up all the photographs, the faces of those who will shape the country's future shone with positivity, ambition, and resilience. Our society still presents challenges for women striving for certain positions, making it uncommon to see an entire generation of female leaders represented. The students were thrilled to catch a glimpse of themselves and their friends. It was a powerful experience for all of them and they also had a chance to learn about the ever-growing community of Inside Out Project and very happy to be a part of it.
.A group of students discussing about their portraits
The message we want to share with the world
The main message that resonated with everyone was the recognition of Africa's youth as a valuable demographic asset, given its rapidly growing population. Yet, their potential can only be truly unleashed through education. By equipping African youths with the necessary knowledge and skills, countries can empower them to take part in the workforce, spur innovation and entrepreneurship, and ultimately stimulate economic progress. This community-led approach has the potential to be replicated in other regions of Congo, across Africa, and even globally.
The influence of Malaika School in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a clear demonstration of education's ability to elevate individuals, dismantle obstacles, and foster a united and thriving community.
'The Next Generation of Leaders' how education is transforming the lives of young girls in RDC and elevating individuals, dismantle obstacles, and foster a united and thriving community.
This is just a glimpse of the next wave of changemakers, future doctors, future engineers, future pilots…they have huge ambitions and they dream big!
A huge thank you to the Inside Out Team for supporting this project and single one of the @malaikadrc family and thank you @noellacoursaris for fostering a brighter future for Africa’s youth.
The change is real.