08/11/2026
🩷💛 In Honor of My Daughter, Mandla
Today, I found myself carrying two very different emotions in my heart: the joy of giving and the pain of missing my daughter.
Mandla’s Foundation was born from the most tragic chapter of my life - the loss of my beloved daughter, Mandla. Her passing left a space in my heart that nothing can ever fill.
But it also gave me a purpose: to keep her spirit alive by doing good in the world and by touching the lives of others in her name.
Whether Mandla is physically here or not, she will always be my daughter. 🩷💛
And as a mother, I know what this time of year means. I know the excitement of preparing a child for a new school year: the books, the backpack, the school supplies, the conversations about doing your best and dreaming about the future.
If Mandla were here, I would have prepared her for back to school. I would have made sure she had what she needed to walk into that classroom with confidence and hope.
I cannot do that for her anymore.
So I chose to do it for other children, in honor of Mandla.
That is how Mandla for Education was born.
Today, in Yaoundé, we had the privilege of putting school supplies into the hands of children from vulnerable families—children who are striving in school, working hard and deserving of every opportunity to continue their education. 🎒📚
As I watched the children receive their backpacks, I could not help but imagine my own daughter preparing for school. There was sadness, yes—but there was also an overwhelming sense of gratitude that, through Mandla, I can help another child feel seen, encouraged and supported.
But today was about more than school supplies.
It was about raising young people who understand that education and service go hand in hand.
Under our “Jeunesse en Action – Journée Communautaire d'Apprentissage et de Salubrité”, and guided by our theme: “Apprendre. Servir. Inspirer.”
we brought together children, young volunteers, families and community leaders for a day centered on education, youth leadership, citizenship and service.
🌱 Youth Leadership Through Service
Our young volunteers rolled up their sleeves and worked alongside the children to clean their community. They learned that leadership isn't simply about having a position or a title. Leadership is about seeing a need and choosing to do something about it.
📚 Mandla for Education
We encouraged children to read, to set academic goals and, most importantly, to believe in themselves. Education is one of the greatest gifts we can give a child because it opens doors to independence, opportunity and a better future.
🤝 Citizenship & Community Engagement
We spoke about respect, living together, environmental responsibility, equality between girls and boys, solidarity and the importance of giving back.
🏅 And we celebrated our young volunteers with Community Service Certificates, recognizing their commitment, generosity and willingness to serve their community.
Today reminded me once again why I chose to turn my grief into purpose.
Every backpack placed on a child's shoulders.
Every book opened.
Every piece of trash picked up.
Every young person who discovers the joy of serving others.
Every child who leaves today believing a little more strongly in their future.
These are the ways Mandla continues to live.
I may not be able to prepare my daughter for her first day of another school year, but through Mandla for Education, I can prepare another child.
And somehow, that makes her absence a little easier to carry.
🩷💛🩷🩷Mandla, you will always be my daughter.🩷💛🩷💛
Your life was far too short, but your impact does not have to be.
Today, in Yaoundé, I saw your name on backpacks, certificates and the faces of children smiling with hope.
And I felt you there. 🩷💛
For Mandla. For our children. For Cameroon.
Together, we are raising a generation that learns, serves and inspires. 🇨🇦🇨🇲🇨🇦
