(Photo Courtesy: Betty Makoni's facebook)
Every social entrepreneurs have their own inspiring story to tell, Betty Makoni is not an exception.
Please take some time to read the article, it's really inspiring!
Click on link: Exiled for empowering the abused girls of Zimbabwe
Betty Makoni is a gender activist who aims to empower girls who have been raped by providing them with a shelter to stay, assist them in their healing process as well as giving them a future by equipping them with skills and giving them a voice to speak up.
Behind her achievements was what motivated her. Betty Makoni has been raped as a child and grew up witnessing the abusive acts of her dad beating her mum. Deep down, she knew that something have to be done. At the age of 9, Betty became an orphan and it marked the beginning of her life's work.
She was the founder of Girl Child Network and the chief executive officer of Girl Child Network World Wide, an organization which aims to empower the rights of the girls in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, USA, United Kingdom and world over.
Other than these 2 organizations, Betty set up a social enterprise 'Muzvare Betty Makoni Empowerment Initiative' where she acts as a mentor, coach and trainer for women and girl who wish to lead, set up their own initiatives as well as transform from victims to survivors and gain knowledge.
I'm truly inspired by what Betty has done. Her determination to empower the girls and ladies really touched me and i've also learnt from her that as long as you set your mind to doing something, you'll be able to achieved it. Not only that, i'm also moved by her story, mission and passion. I sincerely hope that her organization will continue to grow and expand, reaching out to a greater group of girls/ladies.
References
On the up. (2011) Exiled for empowering the abused girls of Zimbawe.
Retrieved November 10, 2012, from http://www.ontheup.org.uk/index.php/2011/05/exiled-for-empowering-the-abused-girls-of-zimbabwe/
Hi kiah gek
ReplyDeleteIt is a truly inspiring article that you have found! Betty Makoni is like a lotus flower that grows out of the mud and blossoms above the muddy water surface. Her life tells the story to everyone especially the suppressed, we can rise above our defilements and sufferings of life. The only thing is how badly you want it.
The movement that she has started is one of its kind and it shows that finally someone is stepping up to make a stand for women’s rights. Her work has benefitted many girls and women in Zimbabwe and would make further impact in other parts of the country and world where countless females still faces captivity of violence and sexual abuse. In particular, the feeling of existence in the world is a strong effect for one to feel alive. Betty Makoni mentions that the real impact of her work is to change the mindset of people, which is crucial to one feeling that he is valuable.
Although many criticize her efforts as a counter cultural, but the large number of women empowered clearly shows such unproven activities are enforced upon them as cultural beliefs. Such folklore serves as a bane to women liberation because it makes use of these ignorant women in rural areas to bind them down. Thus, Betty’s experiences and model of social enterprise is one amazing theory for aspiring individuals who are interested to follow her footpath of freeing the repress and empowering women.
Feiying
Hi KG!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading the article! Betty Makoni is indeed an inspiration for many women all around the world. It is great to see people like her step up and create big changes, I guess thats what we all want to do-make changes.
It is interesting to see how sometimes, social enterprises do not start with the "beneficiaries" in mind. Instead, sometimes, social businesses start up like this. First with a cause they wish to address, and the business funds them so that they can carry out their organisational activities. More often I'll see the business as an arm or a financial aid. But they are really social enterprises aren't they! They are legit businesses that has a social cause!
Hahah, thanks for posting this article~
Hi Kiahgek,
ReplyDeleteI really like your article because it shows ultimate girl power! :) Betty Makoni is such a wonderful lady because she didn't subdue to being abused and instead stood up to make a change. She not only changed her life but also brought change to many others. I think this article also showcases the difficult of running a social enterprise especially in such areas where people foolishly believe in unproven cultural beliefs. However, Betty Makoni didn't give up and continued to reach out to many young victims. It was because she understood how it felt like to be in their shoes as she had gone through abuse herself and this made her even more determined to make a stand. Thanks for sharing this lovely article!
Hi KG!
ReplyDeleteIndeed she is a very inspiring women. She has been a victim of raped and abused and for people who suffered that, they will feel powerless and they may not have the courage to make a change. Yet she made the change that she wanted. For her, without any assistance and knowledge yet she is able to start 2 VWOs and a social Enterprise only meant to show that if you are really determine to do something, you will be able to archive it.
Great post!
-BaoDong
Hi Kiahgek!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post with us.
Betty Makoni has not only changed her life But She has also impacted and transformed other vulnerable little lives as well.
I believe She had done a great job in providing a roof above their heads for the girls. As a home is the most important thing for them, to stay away from danger, be safe, rest, grow and forget about the negativity of life that they had gone through. Additionally, by being their mentor and coach through the SE, She can truly empower them to live a better life, have their own say, their own initiative and gain more knowledge!
She is definitely a great role model and I think many of the victims will be inspired by her and follow her successful footsteps out from the darkness.