Student, advocate and fashionista—this 20-year-old masters it all
Marie Claire shares her thoughts on joining Malala at the UN and shows off her dynamic personality.
A fierce advocate for girls’ education, Marie Claire finds joy in sharing her story with girls and motivating them to stay in school. Last week, she spoke at the United Nations, where powerful leaders from around the world were meeting, and asked them to “start investing in girls — the leaders of tomorrow.” Soon after her visit, she flew to Spain — where she plans to take nursing and Spanish courses in a study abroad program.
The 20-year-old has an exciting life and future ahead of her — but it hasn’t come easy. Marie Claire grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her life took a turn when a war broke out in the country killing six million people — and displacing another two million. Nicknamed “Africa’s World War,” this was the second large-scale conflict that turned the largest nation in sub-Saharan Africa into one of the poorest in the world.
The conflict forced Marie Claire’s family to flee Congo and find refuge in Zambia. She attended school for the first time in a Zambian camp. But even then, her family was not safe. As outsiders, her family faced harassment. One night, armed rebels broke into Marie Claire’s home and killed her mother. Marie Claire says that violence changed her life forever — but it didn’t stop her from moving forward. With her father and siblings, she resettled in the U.S. and became the first person in her family to graduate from high school.
Malala met Marie Claire on her first Girl Power Trip stop in Lancaster — a small city in Pennsylvania that has earned the reputation of hosting refugee populations from around the world. To conclude the trip, Malala invited Marie Claire to join her at the UN and share her story with prime ministers and presidents there.
When Marie Claire received the invitation, she was packing for her semester in Spain, which she won as a prize in a competition at her university. A few months ago, her school announced a contest where the student with the best runway walk in a fashion show would win a scholarship to study abroad wherever she wanted. “I took it as an opportunity, did well and now I’m going to Spain for a year,” she says. Luckily, Marie Claire was able to squeeze in this important trip to New York City before she left.
Before she got on her flight, we asked this student, advocate and fashionista about her experience speaking at the UN.
Malala Fund (MF): Tell us what it was like going to the UN and standing in front of world leaders to share your story.
Marie Claire (MC): I always feel nervous when I first stand in front of people. The first word is the hardest word ever. I wanted to speak out of my heart not just a paper. And I did. I felt confident and like I was speaking to each leader directly.
MF: What are five words you would use to describe your time in New York City?
MC: Five words are just not enough. When they told me to come to New York, I thought I was only supposed to speak but when I came here, I saw that the schedule was packed. There was something to do everyday. We went to Empire State building. That was so much fun — it was my first time going there. I heard that some people who have lived in New York their whole lives have not been there. That’s very sad.
I was emotional about speaking at the UN, but after speaking I felt calm — like I sent my message out to people and someone will go out of there with the spirit to help girls.
MF: You are the first girl Malala met on her Girl Power Trip. This week—on the final stop of her trip—you helped her share girls’ stories to world leaders. Tell us about this journey.
MC: When Malala heard my story, I did not know her. When I got to know her, she inspired me with her story. Just today, I was thinking about how I am a refugee. When I was in Africa and going through bad times, if someone had come to me and given me hope, things might have been different.
There might be girls who don’t have the power you have to continue their education. I found the power, that’s why I can share it.
MF: What do you like to do for fun?
MC: I can be a little weird — I don’t go clubbing. I try to stay away from anything that distracts me from education. But what do I do for fun? I talk with friends. I dance and sing with family. I sing in a church.
MF: That’s amazing! What range do you sing in?
MC: Soprano and alto. I’m not a very good singer but I sing from my heart. I really love to dance as well. I can just stand in the middle of the road and dance.
MF: Do you have any photos of that?
MC: I don’t like taking photos. If you check my phone, you’ll see this week is the most photos I’ve ever taken. I especially don’t like taking pictures of myself.
MF: You don’t like selfies?
MC: Nope!
MF: Tell us about what inspired you to speak up for girls at the UN General Assembly. What message did you want to give world leaders through your speech?
MC: I usually speak to people one on one and share my story. I wanted to reach more people. The spirit of wanting to take my message to more than one person inspired me.
I wanted leaders to know that there are so many young girls who have gone through what I’ve gone through but not everyone manages to overcome it and graduate from school. I want them to do something for those girls who haven’t found the strength yet.
MF: Would you say that you’re an advocate for girls’ education?
MC: Certainly. Anyone who sees something wrong and tries to fight against it, is an advocate. If I had not advocated for myself and gotten an education, I would not be here right now. If you go to my school, you’ll see that most people know my story. I talk to others and share my story to inspire them to advocate too.
MF: Other than advocating for girls, what is something you’re really good at?
MC: I think other people should tell me what I’m good at. I’d say—I don’t know if this counts—I’m the most trusted person in my family. I’m good at keeping secrets.
MF: Why is education important for all girls?
MC: If every girl in this world had an education, they would have less problems. Many of my friends had kids at a young age for example.
MF: Did your friends leave school after having kids?
MC: Yes. They took marriage as the next step and that’s it. I would probably do the same thing if I had no way to go to school.
MF: How can girls’ voices affect change?
MC: Malala brought us here to speak because she can’t do it alone. If one girl starts speaking, more will join. And more people speaking means more power.
MF: When you’re back with your family and friends in Lancaster, what will you say were your favourite moments from this trip?
MC: Breakfast with Malala and her father, speaking at the UN, and being with Malala Fund staff. I felt at home here.
Each girl has a unique story to tell—and their voices are our strongest weapons in the fight for education and equality. Given the right resources to complete quality education, girls can solve our most pressing problems like climate change and poverty.
Help Malala amplify girls’ voices — send her a postcard about girls’ education in your community.
