Aids summit inspires
Youngsters were eager to share their stories at the ‘I Am’ World Aids Day Summit in Walkerville.
THE ‘I Am’ World Aids Day Summit was held at the Chayil Foundation in Walkerville on Friday, December 1.
The event hosted many honoured guests, one of them being Rosettenville’s Mpumi Nobiva. Mpumi was admitted to the inaugural class of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, which opened in 2007 in Henley on Klip, south of Johannesburg, and graduated in 2011 amongst the top of her class.
Mpumi is the founder of the Unite Against Domestic Violence and HIV/Aids campaign. She collaborated with the A Place of Hope organisation to give away five scholarships worth R135 000 to girls who have been affected by domestic violence and HIV/Aids.
The scholarship programme offers vocational skills, training resources, transport and living costs for six months. It covers basic training in pattern drafting, garment construction, styling/trend analysis, training on machinery, clothing alterations, beading, flower arrangements and computer skills training.
Robyn le Roux is the director of the Chayil Foundation and an expert in women and girl empowerment, drug rehabilitation and empowering communities through education. There were many young boys and girls from challenging backgrounds who gave their testimonies, speaking to the other children about their lives, backgrounds and how far they have come. They shared their dreams and plans for their lives and what they are doing to get there. These talented and determined boys and girls all emphasised that they do not let their past determine their future. Many adults (men and women) also shared their testimonies, motivating the youth to share their stories, be it rape or molestation, with a friend or confidant.
Some of the community partners were: the Chayil Foundation and Fleur Empowerment Skills Centre for Women, Community Hours, Women + Men Against Children Abuse, Kids Clinics for Abused Children, Share Your Story Africa, A Place of Hope, #NoBackPackDay, Refilwe D, and Daveyton Book Club.
The boys at the summit were taken out for paintballing and other activities after the formalities. They wore T-shirts that read: ‘I stand against women violence’. T-shirts were also handed out to the girls with motivational branding designed by a 14-year-old girl that Mpumi spoke about. While the boys were out paintballing, the girls had fun sharing stories and engaging in activities.
The hall was elegantly decorated for the summit and everyone enjoyed a scrumptious meal during the course of the day.
Watch Mpumi Introduces Oprah Winfrey – White House Summit:
More about Mpumi Nobiva
Mpumi was born in Rosettenville in Johannesburg, and at the tender age of nine she lost her mother to HIV/Aids. Although facing poverty, she was spiritually wealthy thanks to her grandmother and therefore excelled academically.
Following her matriculation, Mpumi went on to study at the Johnson C Smith University in the United States, where she majored in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on global outreach, public rhetoric and strategic communications. She graduated top of her class and has obtained a Presidential Scholarship worth $60 000 from High Point University to study for a master’s degree in strategic communications. The inspirational Mpumi is an international motivational and empowerment speaker, sharing her personal story of overcoming odds to empower and inspire others.
Her interests include empowerment, motivation, politics, communication, arts, production, campaigning, social media, traveling, entertainment, business and fashion.
Photos by the official photographer for the Chayil Foundation, Noble Media Solutions
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