My first three weeks
I’ve been CEO of Malala Fund for three weeks — and what incredible, eye-opening weeks they’ve been.
Malala recently travelled to Iraq and Nigeria. I was honoured to join her as she met with young girls like Najla in Iraq who escaped ISIS, listened to the stories of freed Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria and as she advocated for education to Kurdistan’s Prime Minister Barzani and Nigeria’s Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
Our travels helped me better understand how Malala Fund works and the difference it makes in the lives of girls displaced by poverty, war and conflict, and the people championing them.
An important part of getting to know Malala Fund is getting to know you — our supporters, our fellow advocates, our friends in the fight for girls’ education and equality.
I have seen some of the beautiful messages to Malala from all over the world. I’ve read notes from girls and boys who gave up their own birthday presents to ask friends and family for donations to support girls instead. I’ve heard you speak out for every girl’s right to go to school. Thank you.
I was a refugee from Uganda to Canada and my family struggled, but I did not grow up in poverty or in a war zone. Despite the challenges they faced, my parents prioritised education — and it was this great equaliser that moved me forward.
As the new leader of Malala Fund, I promise you this:
I will work on behalf of the more than 130 million girls who are out of school.
Malala Fund will continue to hold leaders accountable for the promises they make to girls.
And we will continue to count on you, our amazing supporters.
With your support, we will keep fighting for girls’ education around the world.
In April, Malala kicked off her global #GirlPowerTrip to meet with girls like Hadea and Najla and amplify their stories. Each girl has a unique story to tell — and their voices are our most powerful weapons in the fight for education and equality.
