As promised I wanted to run down what was accomplished on our trip which we came home from last month.  As mentioned in an earlier blog we had an incredible team with us, each member having diverse talents and skills.  Upon arriving at Village of Life, in addition to teaching the teenagers there who had been rescued some skills in jewelry making, each member of the team was utilized to put together an updated electronic file of each child in the home for the benefit of the Touch a Life Foundation.  Trish Trueblood, who is a nurse practitioner was able to do medical assessments of the children as well as treat some of the common ailments these children contracted when working on the lake such as skin problems and parasites.  It was at times very difficult for all of us to see first hand the scars on these children from beatings from their masters or witness even the emotional scars each one of them carried.  However, it was also encouraging to see them in a safe place and to see what a family they all had become to one another.

We were really pleasantly surprised with how much learning the teenagers had retained from the workshops I did last year in jewelry making.  It was relatively easy for them to pick up where they left off and their skills became even more finely tuned this time around.  Again, several of them were natural leaders, particularly some of the older kids like Jacob, Daniel, Happy and Janet.  As we continue establishing operations in Ghana we are starting some small scale operations at Village of Life with these teenagers.  We will soon be test-marketing pieces these teenagers are making.  The teenagers will receive a fair wage for each piece made during this testing period, which they will be saving up to jumpstart their vocational dreams in the future (whether that be used for their education, for training in an apprenticeship or to start their own small businesses).  We will continue testing out their skills for the next several months and will re-evaluate at the end of the summer whether this program will truly be beneficial to them and if we will continue with this group at the Village of Life.

After leaving Village of Life in Kete Krachi our team traveled back down to the capital city of Accra to interview additional possible partners for our future operations in Ghana.  We had a great meeting with Fred Asare at Village of Hope which is another partner of the Touch a Life Foundation.  Fred connected us with one of their programs that works with street kids in Accra.  In this program they have a fully functioning vocational training center for teenagers where they learn indigenous handicrafts as well as other holistic skills.  The staff of VOH were very interested in exploring the possibility of adding Freedom Stones jewelry to their mix able to really gel as a teamof training and product lines as it could be a great income for the teenagers while they train and it is a very easy skill for them to learn.

Much of our remaining time in Accra was spent meeting with other possible partners for future jewelry production and holistic training.  We were encouraged by the good work we see going on in Ghana and that there exists many excellent indigenous community based organizations that are interested in the Freedom Stones model.  We also spent time on the back end putting into motion other logistical and operational items that will ensure we are able to effectively export jewelry from Ghana to the US.

What was perhaps most important in this trip was the time FS staff got to spend together as a team.  We felt after this trip we really knew one another better and were .  It was at times a difficult trip in seeing the state of human trafficking in Ghana in addition to the heat and just general difficulty of being in a developing country, but it was an important trip and one in which we do feel we accomplished what we set out to do as well as things we hadn’t anticipated.

A slideshow introducing the problem of human trafficking and a strategy of prevention through Freedom Stones’ work around the world to provide livelihoods and holistic training to victims or those at risk. Slideshow created by Leah Knippel. Several pictures used by permission from World Concern. “Lost” music by Coldplay.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FREEDOM STONES…CLICK HERE

Russell Simmons meditating with CIDA students

On July 2nd, CIDA City Campus, a beneficiary of support from the Diamond Empowerment Fund, celebrated its 10th anniversary and the 7th graduating class as Africa’s first virtually free college. These kids are very special, sweet, and focused on getting their business degrees and helping build their communities. I will never forget my first visit to CIDA nearly four years ago where I had a group meditation with the students ­ a thousand young Africans and me, all experiencing stillness and quiet time together. That helped me center myself as I was taking in so many new experiences on my first trip to South Africa, and I saw how it helped the students recharge and refocus to do well in academics and in service.

I’ve been a meditator for many years and I am dedicated to spreading this practice that brings many benefits when offered in a school environment. Where quiet time is a central part of the education experience at schools like Dr. George Rutherford’s Ideal Academy in one of the roughest areas of Washington, DC, health issues plummet, grades and graduation rates skyrocket, distraction in the classroom returns to focus, and violence in the schoolyard is replaced by play. The clinical research on the benefits of Transcendental Meditation (TM) when offered as quiet time at the beginning and the end of each school day shows this technique works. Where just about every other form of intervention, counseling or punishment fails to address the stress our kids are under, quiet time and connection to one’s inner voice is so simple and so effective. To be clear, TM is not a religion, philosophy or way of life. It’s a simple mental practice that any child can learn and benefit from. I’ve seen the impact meditation has on Ming Lee and Aoki Lee, and I wish the same stillness and peace for every child busy absorbing knowledge at warp speed.

Meditation is not currently part of the CIDA curriculum, but I hope that one day it will be reintroduced, maybe with the help of the David Lynch Foundation, who are true leaders in the field. They understand the science of quiet time, and they understand the basic need for love that we all have, especially children deserving of unconditional love and so often deprived of it on every level.

I wanted to share with you my remarks to the CIDA’s graduates, which were read at the graduation ceremony by activist and long-distance runner Suzanne “Africa” Engo, a strong advocate for the Diamond Empowerment Fund who spent a week with CIDA students in Johannesburg. The daily practice of meditation helped Suzanne in her commitment to a 1,500 mile run on three continents to raise awareness for the issues of AIDS prevention/treatment and empowerment through education for Africa. She spent time living on campus getting to know the students and ran from a student¹s home to the CIDA dorms to show the importance of campus housing for the students to succeed. DEF¹s support for CIDA has been specifically to fund a dorm that houses 300 students, a fundamental need to keep students in school.

While the world¹s watching the finals of FIFA World Cup in South Africa this weekend, let’s take a minute to think about this being a special time for CIDA where the graduating class has scored the winning goal.

CONGRATULATIONS MESSAGE TO CIDA CITY CAMPUS GRADUATES FROM RUSSELL SIMMONS

GREETINGS, CIDA GRADUATES 2010, FACULTY, SUPPORTERS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I WISH I WAS WITH YOU AT THIS MOMENT MARKING YOUR ENDURANCE, YOUR FOCUS, YOUR SERVICE, AND YOUR SUCCESS. ONE OF MY MOST TREASURED MEMORIES WAS FIRST VISITING CIDA IN 2006 AND HAVING QUIET TIME MEDITATING WITH YOU.

YOU MADE IT! YOU ARE GRADUATING TODAY FROM COLLEGE AND NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO FROM HERE IT WILL ALWAYS BE AS A GRADUATE OF CIDA CITY CAMPUS. THAT MAKES YOU AMONG THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, AND A PRIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA. AS YOU KNOW, HIGHER EDUCATION IS NOT SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE ACHIEVES, IN FACT STATISTICALLY VERY FEW DO, SO NEVER FORGET YOU HAVE ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE YOU THAT THE WORLD CAN OFFER. WITH THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE RESPONSIBILITIES – TO YOURSELF, TO YOUR FAMILY, AND TO YOUR COMMUNITY. BE IN THE GAME EVERY DAY, ENJOY THE PROCESS OF HARD WORK, OF SERVICE, OF SHARING ALL THAT YOU HAVE. REMEMBER, THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS WORLD THAT YOU NEED THAT YOU DON’T HAVE RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT.

SO IN THIS TIME OF CELEBRATION AND ACHIEVEMENT, SMILE AND BE HAPPY. LOOK INSIDE AND HONOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR, BE GRATEFUL TO EVERY PERSON ALONG THE WAY WHO HAS BEEN PART OF YOUR PROCESS OF GETTING TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY. BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TEACHERS, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY, AND FOR YOUR OWN UNIQUE AND POWERFUL INNER SELF, WHICH HAS GUIDED YOU TO THIS IMPORTANT DAY. LOOK FOR THE STILLNESS WITHIN AND LET IT GUIDE YOU TO GREATNESS WHEREVER YOU CHOOSE TO GO FROM HERE.

WITH GREAT LOVE ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE,
RUSSELL SIMMONS
AND
YOUR FRIENDS AT THE DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND

CHECK OUT SOME NEW VIDEOS FROM SUZANNE “AFRICA” ENGO IN AFRICA DURING HER STAY!

CIDA Career Centre.

CIDA sets themselves apart as not only a university offering a Bachelor of Business Administration, but also enforces students are involved in community education on weekends and school holidays. This can be in their own community, or one closer to CIDA, where they teach or set up community events or activities, eg teaching financial literature, HIV education, or act as mentors to students in these areas.

In addition to specializing in Marketing, Finance and Investment, Human Resources, or Entrepreneurship, they have access to Schools of Excellence, in Information Technology and Investment, sponsored by businesses. They also spend 3 months in their Jobshop, where they actually work in a business, have resume-writing help, and interview practice.
The CIDA students are provided with accommodation, three meals a day, transport and textbooks. In return they are responsible for various aspects of running the campus, so they realize the importance of giving back and getting involved. Another highlight is their clothing library where people can donate clothes, and the students buy these for a minimal fee, which would alleviate costs to the students so they can solely focus on their education without worrying about financial aid.

Kate Allan in the middle with Jordan (left) and Molefi (right)

Currently there are 677 students, and their current capacity is 1500.  Last year they had about 4,000 applications for about 300 positions. The building they are currently occupying will not be available for much longer, so they are in desperate need of a new location. It would be devastating for such an exciting initiative to be stalled, as it is creating such great hope and success in so many students who would never have had any sort of opportunity for tertiary education. South Africa has an unemployment rate about 25 %, so it is so beneficial for these students to obtain their degree to uplift themselves and their communities.

Visiting the African Leadership Academy was just as inspiring, on a different level. This school has students from all over Africa, and it is just so incredible to see people from so many different and diverse cultures working together with a common goal.. They attend ALA for 2 years where they are thoroughly prepared for the top universities around the world, and are on track to be the next leaders and entrepreneurs of Africa, and the rest of the world.

I, along with 4 other guests, were invited to participate in their African Studies class, where we were divided into groups and discussed the issues, and in the next class one student in each group would present a speech on the outcomes. In our group, there were students from Senegal, Sierra Leone, Morocco and Kenya!

I was taken on a tour of the beautiful school grounds, including the huge library, dining hall, science labs and hostel rooms. During their lunch break on this day, they all sat together in groups with their mentors. The teachers are assigned about 5 students who they mentor, and are their ALA “family”.  The students have a great all-round education, including leadership classes and are taught excellent interpersonal skills.

African Leadership Academy

I was invited to have tea with Teboho Mabuka. She is an inspiration to all, as she comes from a historically disadvantaged background but is so mature and confident, eloquent and polite. She has incredible public speaking skills, and such determination and conviction that she will create change in her community, country and continent. She told us about the sports they can play competitively, or just socially, in the afternoons. She even enabled her netball team to play in the league against her previous school! They are also all involved in community development, as each student has some community project they dedicate time to every week.

They are all incredibly gifted students, and are all making a difference in some way. Its amazing to see the visions these teenagers have for their lives and the rest of the world. If these are the future leaders of Africa, it can only look promising!

Kate Allan and ALA student, Tebogo Mabuka

Thanks again for this opportunity!

I look forward to crossing paths with you again in the near future.

- Kate Allan

You can show your support for Africa’s work through donations directly to DEF…or using your mobile phone and send a text  “DEF” to 90999 and donating $5.

DONATE DIRECTLY TO DEF

send the word “DEF” to 90999 to donate $5

Melissa on the left with Students from ALA.

When it comes to educational institutions, it seems as though; the more developed the physical infrastructure, the more reputable the school is. However, the true success of the facility lies within the execution of the overall curriculum, the dedication of the staff and the performance of the students.

As a supporter of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, I had the honor of visiting the African Leadership Academy (ALA) campus with my husband during our stay in Johannesburg, South Africa. ALA is a very reputable boarding school located in Honeydew and founded in September 2008.

Not only is the campus inviting and conducive for intense studies but the staff are fully equipped and the curricula is structured in order to prepare the students for leadership. Thus producing excellent results!
The students spoke freely and eloquently about their own experiences on campus and how they value the opportunity they have been given at ALA. Such great dialogue!

I was most impressed by the type of program laid out for these promising 16 – 19 year olds. Their studies include a primary focus on Pan African studies, which serves as an integral part of leadership grooming for these young African students.

ALA Library

Also, students are encouraged to start small businesses on campus for example a pizzeria, hair salon and many more. These businesses help to promote teamwork and teach them how to operate a business.

In addition to their studies and student-owned “businesses” they also make it a point to give back to their communities. The income generated from these projects is allocated towards specific causes and several clubs have also been established to encourage further community involvement. I LOVE THAT!

As we continued on the “Tour of Leadership”, led by Teboho Mabuka, we became even more inspired. Although it was a school break, choir practice was still in session. This became the highlight of the entire tour!

Hearing their voices come together as one without any adult supervision spoke volumes about our future leaders and reconfirmed to us that:
• their level of maturity was impeccable;
• their ability to set a goal and lead/ help each other to accomplish it was admirable;
• and they had a playful side which was very lovable.

We walked away even more convinced that the African Leadership Academy is providing all the necessary tools for the students and bringing future African “Leadership to Life”. The time and money invested in these students is certainly not in vain.

I commend Diamond Empowerment Fund for embarking on the vision, “Helping Africans Help Africa”. Russell Simmons, Ellen Haddigan and Lesego Mathware you are fulfilling this vision through the continued support of ALA. Thank you for this opportunity and keep up the great work! Chris Bradford thank you for organizing the tour on such short notice and taking the time out to speak with us, your team at ALA is phenomenal!

Melissa joined by ALA student, Teboho Mabuka and ALA Co-founder, Chris Bradford.

MEET MELISSA TSWANA-DANIELS

Melissa Tswana-Daniels migrated to New York about 10 years ago from her hometown in Harare, Zimbabwe to pursue her studies. While in school, she had the opportunity to intern for an investment advisor which eventually hired her full-time. Currently, Melissa is a Disaster Recovery & IT Management Coordinator, an analyst for distressed debt instruments and part of the operations team for a global investment firm located in mid-town Manhattan.

In addition to that, this Southern African, whose roots are spread across Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho & South Africa; has been actively involved in several local and global community organizations that focus on youth empowerment, fighting against social injustice, grassroots political movements and several other philanthropic projects.

by Flaviana Matata

When I was asked to visit African Leadership Academy (ALA) and CIDA City Campus I had no clue as to what to expect.  But the more I learnt about the schools the more exited and honored I got about the visit.  The two schools have the same goal, but structured differently but each with its own unique and amazing characteristics. The most important thing is that I am glad I am part of this unique and rewarding initiative. As a Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) Angel I will make sure the kids of Africa get the best education through DEF and other similar funds.

First I visited the ALA school…the visit was very relaxing and the students were excited to see me, but more importantly to see someone from DEF, which means the world to them.  I was received by Mr. Chris Bradford, the Chief Operating Officer and one of the founding members.  Together with Chris, there was a group of students from Tanzania…I must say, these young students are probably the most intelligent, well informed Tanzanian students I have ever met. The student took me on a school tour which gave me a unique opportunity to get their perspective of the school and experience.

ALA, as compared to CIDA, target student from age 16 through 21.  ALA would then prepare these students for top universities in the USA, the UK, and many other top universities in the world. I met students who have been accepted with full scholarships to Cornell,

Flaviana with the students of African Leadership Academy

University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College, Stanford and some still waiting for responses from other top schools such as Harvard, Yale etc. This would have been an impossible dream for these students if it was not for ALA.

ALA only has a total of 189 students, but the target should be way more than that…may be 3,000 students in the next five years. This can only be possible if we are able to bring the awareness and show the world that this is possible.  Lets teach the new generation how to fish and not depend on handovers.  ALA you have my commitment and will spread the word out there.

The following day I went to CIDA City Campus…CIDA is a university for those talented students who cannot afford the education.  CIDA would identify these students and encourage their unique talents.  For example I met a student who is good at photography and the school allowed him to develop that into a business within the school. This gives these students an opportunity to do what they are good at and developing them into businesses that they can perform competitively. Last year 82% of the graduating class got employed right after graduation.  This is a huge percentage considering the unemployment levels in Africa and worse the economic downturn currently affecting the world.

Flaviana with the students of CIDA City Campus

My discussion with Mr. Nesan Chetty, Senior Manager – Marketing, further explained the important role DEF is playing in changing the future of these young students and in-turn Africa.  He further highlighted some of the challenges CIDA is facing…the largest being the facility.  They are currently housed in an 8 storey leased bank building, with no sports facility.  They are in dire need of a new complex to give these talented students an experience like any other University.  Mr. Chetty explained that they have already located a piece of land and they are currently in a funds mobilization phase.  The sooner this happens, the sooner we see this institution develop into a world class facility.

I would like to personally thank Russell Simmons for his dedication and ever support of these schools.  Above all, for introducing me to DEF and to show me how I can give back.

Regards
Flaviana Matata

AFRICA'S HOPE EARRINGS

evelyn H. Africa’s Hope earring will be auctioned off in Dallas, Texas on November 14th, 2009. The proceeds will benefit the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

Please click AFRICA’S HOPE EARRINGS to view the lot on Charity Buzz.

“I want to make a difference…I want to take the greater love that exists within me, and impress it onto these earrings… to give it some lady luck….and I wish in my heart that these good thoughts will create a positive energy that will be the beginning of a catalyst that will one day alter someone’s life and take that person down a different path full of opportunities and promise….I will name it Africa’s Hope and wish upon it goodness and change and the spirit of giving back…”

DEF Executive Director, Ellen Haddigan in the black and white pictured with Evelyn H. at the DIVA cocktail part, Vegas 2009.

For me, every project I approach is always centered upon the client that I am designing the piece for. I meet with them and try to get a feel for the individual so that I will be able to create something special that is a reflection of their individuality. This mindset is no different when I enter a design competition.

channeling my ideas to focus on specific guidelines working within them while still staying true to creating something unique that does not sacrifice artistry, beauty, craftsmanship, or originality. Most competitions rarely call for anything beyond these four standards. However, for this year’s DIVA design competition (held annually by the Women’s Jewelry Association) my work as a designer was challenged to go beyond the norm to dream up a design with a lot of heart and meaning behind it.

The theme for this year’s competition is “DIVA GIVES BACK to D.E.F.” in which the WJA partnered with the Diamond Empowerment Fund to provide women in the Jewelry Industry not only the chance to showcase their talent, but the additional opportunity of making a difference. The D.E.F. is a non-profit organization that works to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

Evelyn H. in the middle joined by the DEF members and WJA menbers. Also present was Miss Africa-USA, Niyasha Zimucha.

The competition had three categories; the “Canadian Diamond DIVA”, the “Red Carpet DIVA”, and the “DIVA gives back” categories. Winning designs would be donated to the D.E.F. to be auctioned off at the Dallas Rocks Diamond Dinner and After Party.

I knew immediately I wanted to enter the “Red Carpet DIVA” category. I guess I like to do things in a big way and I yearned to put my heart into something that can help another person. I contemplated about what this design would mean and how I would properly express it. I also considered how it would fit in with the mission of the Diamond Empowerment Fund. I looked through their website many times to try to better understand the fundamental core of the organization. After a few days of reflection, I knew I wanted the design to be in the shape of a tear drop, with strands of diamonds stretching from the top towards the bottom suggesting an angel’s harp. This idea sprang from the title for the ambassador’s of the Diamond Empowerment Fund called Africa’s Angels. Once I solidified the design concept I turned to the use of color. I knew I wanted to use the color green, because to the D.E.F., green is intended to symbolize prosperity, well-being, and care for the planet Earth and its entire people, with the color also being the embodiment for the continent of Africa and its natural and human resources, coincidentally it is also the color that I use to represent my company. Not, only did I want the design to have meaning, I wanted the materials to be symbolic too. I decided early on that the green stones I would utilize in my design had to come from Africa. That led me to only a few options, in which I chose African Emeralds as the stones that I would use to complement and enhance the diamonds in the design. Upon completion of my design I christened it “Africa’s Hope” to signify the dedication and perseverance of the individuals that work to make a difference in this world, and the hope that exists because there are people who do care. A few weeks later, I received a call from Cindy Edelstein the DIVA chair informing me that my design had won.

(L-R) DEF Co President, Dr. Ben Chavis Evelyn H. and DEF Board member, Scott Rauch.

I have just completed Africa’s Hope and they measure approximately 80 mm in length, and 35mm in width. The earrings have a total weight of 4.89 carats in diamonds, and 3.54 carats in African Emeralds, They are comprised of 18k white gold with 2 pear shape diamonds, one at the top of each earring. As a designer, I hope they will do me proud, but more importantly, as a human being, I hope they will find their way into the home and heart of someone who cares sincerely about the mission of the D.E.F. and the special individuals that the proceeds raised from these earrings will inevitably touch.

-Evelyn H.

]]>

September 2009 visit to CIDA and ALA, South Africa.

I arrived at CIDA city campus right in the midst of downtown Johannesburg in the morning of September 16th, 2009. I immediately noticed that the city was a lot cleaner since my last visit in December of 2006 which I’m sure can be partly attributed to the World Cup 2010 preparations. I was super excited to visit CIDA after meeting on the previous day with one of its founders, Taddy Blecher, who has founded a new higher educational institution for South African youth, the Maharishi Institute.

Buke Dube meeting with Taddy Blecher, Founder of Maharishi Institute.

I walked into CIDA’s building which immediately reminded me of the office building it once was before; it had a very executive feel to it. I met with Nesan Chetty and Nana Kelly who are part of CIDA’s public relations team who gave me a quick overview of the mission of CIDA, how it was founded and its goals for the future as one of South Africa’s leading educational institution providing a fully funded higher education degree to disadvantaged youth. I also had the opportunity of meeting a young student by the name of Nompumelelo who’s from Orange farm just out of Jo’burg and lives with her grandmother and siblings. Both her parents are deceased. Nompumelelo found out about how she, a poor student from Orange farm with aspirations of becoming an economic analyst could earn herself a full scholarship to study  business from her high school teacher.

As I continued with my tour and learnt more about the students and culture at CIDA, I was impressed by the schools vision and ability to incorporate skills that the students will need once in the work force through the different schools of excellence or specialization offered in their Bachelor in Business Administration curriculum. I think this training in information technology, investment or entrepreneurship is invaluable to any student as it prepares them for the “real world”. Currently CIDA has about 964 students enrolled; I certainly look forward to watching them grow to their optimal goal of 1,500 students at their Johannesburg City Campus.

The following day I visited the African Leadership Academy in Honey Dew, a suburb north of Johannesburg. I must say this is one of the most beautiful campuses of any secondary school that I have visited with plenty of tress and vegetation, a scene that almost looks like a story book scene. Ashleigh Nel who handles external relations for the school was kind enough to take me on a student led tour of the campus. African Leadership Academy offers a 2 year program for students who at the end sit for Advanced/ “A-level” Cambridge University administered examinations in their selected subjects of study. I had the opportunity to sit in two of the students’ classes; one was an English literature class and the other an African studies class as well as enjoy lunch with the students and a member of faculty. I was fascinated by the style of teaching in both these classes which encouraged interaction and engagement at every level, both from the teacher to the students. I particularly liked how much at ease the students had during what seemed to me as a sharing of ideas and thoughts in this modern classroom set up where the students’ desks are placed in a circle rather than rows allowing for easier interaction.

Buke Dube pictured with William Kamkwamba, author of The Boy who Harnessed the Wind.

I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with several ALA students and faculty members, including second year student William Kwamkambwa, who is popularly known as William Windmill. After meeting with several of Africa’s brightest students at ALA, there’s one that is constantly on my mind. Edmund, a second year student at ALA, who has clearly overcome his physical challenges in many ways and stands as one of the most articulate people I have ever met. I was particularly inspired by his dream to study public policy at a top U.S. university so he can come back South Africa and be an advocate for individuals that are experiencing any form of discrimination. Like all ALA’s students that I met, Edmund displayed such intellect yet still posses a mature and calm demeanor which I saw in the students that I met at ALA.

My experience at ALA was phenomenal and it was evident to me that this school is a leader in providing a top class education for Africa’s brightest making it model one that is unparalleled and definitely needs to be duplicated as it is the future of the African people and nation.

But sometimes even I forget how important the cause is since there are so many needs in the world, not to mention in Africa. D.E.F. is supporting two programs – CIDA City Campus and African Leadership Academy – both based in Johannesburg, South Africa. CIDA is the first virtually free business college in South Africa with almost 1000 students from very difficult circumstances and most coming from extreme poverty. African Leadership Academy is based in South Africa, but has set its sights on transforming the continent by helping talented and driven students from throughout Africa get the top education that will help them fulfill the promise of their God-given talents by getting a world-class education.

Plain and simple, both of these programs are about access to resources. I promise you – you will be hard pressed to find young people who are as focused, determined, and grateful for opportunity as the students of CIDA and ALA. They deserve to be able to get an education and chase their dreams with a chance of catching them. Read this important report from the NY Times which gives us some insight into the challenges and opportunities for South African youth. Reminds me we are just scratching the surface.

-Russell

click NEW YORK TIMES to read the original article.

Russell Simmons with CIDA City Campus students in Johannesburg, South Africa.

What does the word LEADERSHIP mean? I suspect it has many different meanings for lots of people. It also carries different meanings and connotations depending on where you live in the world. There is no place on earth where the need for good leadership is more dire than in Africa. Unfortunately historically Africa has often produced less than exemplary leaders.

*Nicola pictured above attending the Diamond For Africa dinner hosted by Hearst Corp and  Diamond Information Center for the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

It is for this reason that focusing our efforts on the future leaders of Africa couldn’t be more important. The youth of Africa are the future of Africa, they hold in their hands the keys but it is our duty to show them how to unlock the doors to their future.

We have however had some truly great leaders in Africa; Biko, Mandela, Tutu jump to mind. But when I talk about leadership and leaders I’m not just referring to heads of state and leaders of countries. Great leaders can be parents, teachers, policemen and doctors. By leading by example and being a good role model to the youth of Africa you have the ability to effect change and it is this change today that will change tomorrow and ultimately the future of Africa as we know it.

Having spent my early years growing up in South Africa I am acutely aware what the results of bad leadership can be and the devastation it can cause whole populations. Not just in South Africa but across the entire continent.

This is why the Diamond Empowerment Fund for me is the perfect way to foster, nurture and encourage the future leaders of Africa. The most powerful tool Africa’s youth have at their disposal is education. Through education we can effect change in Africa. John F. Kennedy once said “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” and I couldn’t agree more.

During my visit with the DEF to CIDA City Campus and the Maharishi Institute last year I was so impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the students. They are young, confident individuals who have not let their life circumstances stand in their way. During a Q & A session I asked the students what they wanted to achieve and do with their lives. Every single student had a dream, an aspiration to achieve greatness. Together with the DEF it is our duty to bottle their enthusiasm and dreams in order that they can make them a reality. They are the future leaders of tomorrow and the future of Africa.

One of my favourite quotes comes from Africa’s greatest leader Nelson Mandela “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

- Nicola