‘USE YOUR POWER TO LIFT OTHERS UP.’

Noëlla Coursaris Musunka’s career has taken her from the catwalk to classrooms in the Congo. The model and philanthropist tells us about her Malaika foundation and her mission to empower girls in Africa.

ON HER CHILDHOOD: I was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a Cypriot father and a Congolese mother. When I was five years old, my father suddenly died. My mother was uneducated and lacked the resources and money to keep me, so she sent me to live with relatives in Belgium. I arrived with holes in my shoes and remember feeling lost. I’d been ripped away from everything I’d known.

It was challenging growing up with a different family in a different country with a different language and culture; I had to learn to adapt fast and be tough. When I was in my early teens, I was sent to Switzerland to live with an aunt. I was never made to feel like I ‘belonged’ but I worked hard, got a scholarship and received a degree in business management.

ON HER TOUGHEST MOMENT: Over the course of 13 years, I had very little contact with my mother – just a few letters and phone calls. I grew up with a lot of anger and resentment; I just couldn’t understand how she could have given me away. By the time I turned 18, I desperately needed to reconnect my past with my present so I saved up enough money to return to my homeland.

When I met my mother, we were like strangers and had to get to know each other again. But once I’d witnessed, firsthand, the conditions she lived in, I finally started to understand the huge sacrifices she’d made; she’d given me up so I could have the opportunities that she never had. Her whole life, like so many Congolese women, had been dictated by a lack of choice and financial independence. I promised that one day I would try to do something, not just for her but also for my country. That trip sowed the seeds for Malaika, the not-for-profit organisation I founded in 2007.

ON HER EARLY CAREER: As a teen, I was often approached by model scouts but thought nothing of it. Shortly after finishing my degree, my friend entered me into a modelling competition for Agent Provocateur; I won and subsequently became the face of the lingerie brand. Since then, I’ve worked on shoots all over the world for companies including Max Factor, Black Opal, The White Company and Roksanda. I loved travelling and working on different campaigns but it was tough being a black model back then; I wasn’t booked for as many campaigns and covers as my white peers, and I had to work twice as hard. The industry has changed a lot since then but I’d still like to see more diversity and inclusion – not just in terms of skin colour but in terms of body shapes and sizes.

ON EMPOWERING GIRLS IN AFRICA: The mission of Malaika (which means ‘angel’ in Swahili) is to give Congolese girls and their communities access to education, water and healthcare. The Malaika School provides free primary and secondary education to more than 370 girls, with a curriculum that includes everything from coding and science to maths and music. I wanted it to be as beautiful, varied and dynamic as a school in England. We’ve also built a community centre and 20 wells, which provide access to clean water for 35,000 people, and we grow all our own fruit and vegetables so that our staff and students get two fresh, healthy meals a day. Running a foundation is tough: I work on Malaika six hours a day and I don’t take a salary but I love it. I take my kids to the Congo every summer; they participate in the work there and help to distribute malaria nets. I want them to recognise the importance of giving back.

‘It was challenging growing up in a new country with a different family, language and culture; I had to learn to adapt fast and be tough.’

‘It was challenging growing up in a new country with a different family, language and culture; I had to learn to adapt fast and be tough.’

‘It was challenging growing up in a new country with a different family, language and culture; I had to learn to adapt fast and be tough.’

ON HER STYLE:  If I’m dropping my kids off at school, you’ll find me in jeans and sneakers. If I’m speaking at a conference, a power suit is great for a little confidence boost. I like to make a statement, not just with my presence but with my clothing. I gravitate towards African designers who use vibrant prints and bold designs, such as Duro Olowu and Kenneth Ize.

I believe in slow fashion, not fast fashion, so I tend to go for timeless pieces that I can wear decades down the line and I often rent clothing for big events. We recently partnered with HURR Collective on a Wear To Care campaign, where you can rent and buy outfits from the likes of Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova and British Vogue’s publishing director Vanessa Kingori, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Malaika.

ON STAYING SANE: I love hanging out with my children. We’re always baking, reading and playing games together. By the end of the day, I’m exhausted so I tend to chill out by watching TV (I was glued to Line of Duty) or flicking through fashion magazines.

To find out more about Malaika Foundation visit: malaika.org