By Amanda Ngcono, Founder of Ngcono Mbowane Foundation 

From an early age, I’ve always been passionate about giving back, whether it was volunteering at homeless shelters or food kitchens while in college or lending a hand wherever I could. These experiences laid the foundation for what would become the Ngcono Mbowane Foundation, a space where I could translate my values into action.

To date, I’ve worked on numerous projects such as school giveaway drives, the #GirlTalk live show focused on girls’ empowerment, food hamper drives, and donating PPE to clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives represent our broader mission: to create positive change within African communities through workshops, events, and important conversations, even tackling taboo subjects that need to be brought to light.

The reason this cause is so important to me is because I believe that helping others, even in small ways, can ripple outwards to make a larger difference. The foundation is built on love and understanding, and we strive to support those who need it most. This is more than just a pursuit—it’s my heart’s work. It’s about continuing to serve and uplift others in meaningful, impactful ways. Also core values which I stand and believe in are displayed through my foundation . Ngcono Mbowane Foundation, a pursuit that’s deeply personal and rooted in my desire to help others. I started the foundation in 2019 with the goal of serving communities, spreading love, and making a positive impact, no matter how small. The name itself is personal—it carries my family’s values of love, grace, and kindness. “Ngcono” is my middle name, and “Mbowane” is my surname, both meaning the same thing and representing the essence of what the foundation stands for: family, community, and a heart for service.

My journey with the Ngcono Mbowane Foundation has been filled with both rewarding milestones and significant challenges. One key obstacle has been overcoming the stigma surrounding menstrual health in African communities.

Through our school tours and workshops, such as the Girl Talk events, we’ve worked to break down these barriers, educating and empowering young girls to feel confident and supported. Despite limited resources I’ve managed to keep the fire and desire in my heart to keep serving my community and trying my best to leave the world a better place than I found it through creating positive change and advocating . Despite tears and obstacles, my commitment to serving, creating, and loving keeps me moving forward, knowing that my work is making a difference. Even with financial and logistical hurdles, the foundation continues to grow, allowing us to donate school supplies, sanitary products, and offer life-changing workshops to thousands of girls.

These experiences have reinforced my belief in the power of community and the importance of education, which have been central to our mission from the start. The impact we’ve had keeps me motivated to push through every challenge, knowing that each obstacle overcome brings us closer to empowering more lives across Africa. Whether through the donation of sanitary products and school supplies or through critical conversations around empowerment and health, the results of our contributions have been life-changing. Each event, each workshop, each donation has had the power to create ripple effects, fostering confidence, self-reliance, and a brighter future for the communities we serve.