Venus’ campaign to benefit Malawian girls
World tennis sensation Venus Williams has partnered Care International in a K30 million (US$72 289.2) online challenge to support girl education in Malawi.
On Monday last week, the US sports star issued a statement asking her fans to like her Join My Village (JMV) content on Facebook or retweet her postings on Twitter to unlock $25 000 project funding of $1 per click.
According to a press statement on Care website, the two-week campaign will also benefit girl-child educational initiatives in Kenya.
It reads: “The total campaign has potential to provide up to $75 000 which will bring vocational training to as many as 50 young women in Malawi who have already completed secondary school with support from Join My Village and who were selected for this opportunity based on their academic performance.”
The professional tennis player, a sister to reigning champion Serena Williams, has never visited Malawi.
In 2012, she toured Care projects in Kenya’s Siaya county, which will benefit from her online campaign along with Kibera slum in Nairobi.
During the African tour, Williams saw firsthand how education can transform not just the girls themselves, but benefit their families and communities.
She is quoted as saying: “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Care to help these remarkable young women reach their life goals. While visiting Care’s work in Africa, I saw firsthand how graduating to secondary school in Malawi is a huge accomplishment and being able to continue their studies for careers means that they will help themselves while helping others too.”
