Malaika Success Story: Changing Education – Educating for Change

Leadership for ALL

As the annual Women's Forum for the Economy & Society event is approaching, I would like to celebrate Malaika school.

Less than one year ago, we met with Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner , President at the time of the Women’s Forum. The meeting was sparkling, and we immediately decided to explore leadership projects together. 1st step was to attend the Women’s Forum Annual event, meeting the team, new people and the rest is history! Let me tell you the story ….

I was attending the 2023 event evening in the amazing Petit Palais in Paris with my daughter Lea Blum when a woman approached Lea, asking her to take a picture of her dress. "The designers always want to ensure you’re wearing their dress just right," she said with a smile.

As Lea took the picture, a conversation blossomed. The woman, Noella Coursaris Musunka , a very famous international model and philanthropist, turned to Lea and asked, “Who are you attending with?”

Lea proudly replied, “My mum. She’s an international businesswoman, currently teaching leadership development. Her mission is to include everyone who wants to break through the ceiling.”

Noella’s smile widened as she shared her story: “I built a school in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Lubumbashi, 17 years ago. It’s called Malaika. Why don’t we have your mother teach us leadership?”

Within a week, I was on a call with Noella and the Malaika team, and two months later, I was teaching leadership to the school staff. This began an incredible partnership to empower students and teachers alike.

The Impact of Leadership at Malaika

Malaika is not just a school—it’s a vision. Designed to equip young women with the skills and tools they need to succeed in life, it is a beacon of hope for the future. Leadership, however, had never been part of the curriculum—until now.

We introduced modules focused on key leadership concepts: vision, engaging others, creating a plan, and communicating effectively. It was a pioneering effort for both the staff and students, with two classes receiving training in early 2024.

The results? Absolutely mind-blowing. Students were energized, inspired to think about their futures in ways they hadn’t before. The teachers, too, were moved, seeing leadership not just as a skill but as a mindset they could pass on to future generations.

The school’s principal, seeing the transformation, asked if leadership training could begin at an even earlier age. This October, we’ll begin another class, with a goal of reaching all students at Malaika in the coming years.

A New Dream for Education

Our dream is to make leadership a core academic skill, taught not just at Malaika but in schools worldwide—starting from a young age, through high school, and into university. Leadership should be measurable, with progress that can be tracked and refined over time.

Leadership is not static. It evolves with us. You might excel as a leader in school but need to sharpen those skills when you enter professional life or become a parent. The key is to see leadership as a journey, not a destination.

Learnings from the Journey

Meeting people like Anne-Gabrielle and Noella is more than just having a meeting—They were a catalyst for change. Here are my three main takeaways:

1. The Importance of Networking: You never know where the next impactful project or collaboration will come from. Be open and willing to network.
2. The Power of Connection: Opportunities arise when we’re open to meaningful connections. Be ready to listen, engage, and take action.
3. Embrace the Unexpected: Sometimes the most impactful projects are the ones you didn’t plan for. Stay flexible, and embrace the unexpected.

I’m deeply grateful to the team at Malaika, to Noella, and to the teachers and staff who have made this journey so inspiring. I invite all of you to learn more about Malaika by visiting Malaika.org, and to consider contributing to this beautiful mission.

Let’s continue this journey together—thank you to all of you, for believing in leadership for all project from day 1!#leadership, #womenempowerement