Georges Malaika Foundation Hosts THE RISE OF CONGO Fundraiser Tonight

Noëlla Coursaris Musunka, founder and CEO of the Georges Malaika Foundation (GMF), hosts their 2nd annual New York Reception celebrating Congolese culture, fashion and music tonight, March 19, 2013 at Asellina, in the Gansevoort Hotel in New York City.

The event will be hosted by comedian Eddie Kadi and will feature an exclusive performance by the legendary Lokua Kanza. Music by DJ Hardy Indiigo, photography by Richard Foulser, art by Congolese painters, jewelry and fashion by talented African designers.

Guest speakers will include former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Luis Moreno Ocampo; humanitarian and daughter of Muhammad Ali Khaliah Ali, who placed the first stone of the GMF school in the Congo; Kara Gerson, Executive Director of the Voss Foundation; Joe Whinney, CEO of Theo Chocolate, who has just collaborated with Ben Affleck to produce a fair trade organic chocolate bar using Congolese cocoa; and fitness expert Holly Rillinger from Flywheel, who will talk about her recent trip to the GMF school to create a sports program.

"At GMF, we are working towards solving the education crisis in the DRC by empowering girls, women, and the local community. Our school educates 152 girls and teaches the students how to create better solutions for themselves and their community. The GMF project goes beyond a solely academic curriculum; by partnering with FIFA to build the Kalebuka Football For Hope Centre, we work to empower the entire area through health, sports, education, and community activities," said Noëlla Coursaris Musunka, founder & CEO of the Georges Malaika Foundation.

The evening will highlight:
- The success of the Georges Malaika Girls' School in Kalebuka
- The fantastic creation of two fresh water wells in partnership with the Voss Foundation
- A sneak peek at the Georges Malaika community and sports center, built in collaboration with FIFA

The Georges Malaika Foundation (GMF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to unlocking the potential of African girls and their communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through education.

Named in memory of Noëlla Coursaris Musunka's father, Georges, and the Swahili word malaika, for 'angel,' GMF empowers through education. GMF is dedicated to the advancement of African communities by providing educational opportunities to young girls. In 2011 GMF finished construction on their first Girls' School in the DRC. 152 girls are enrolled and receive a fully comprehensive program including free tuition, school supplies, uniforms, and two healthy meals a day. In 2012 GMF built two fresh water wells as part of a collaborative effort with the Voss Foundation, and is now providing clean drinking water to the entire community. GMF's latest project is a partnership with FIFA to build a community center that will function as a base for sports, health, education and enterprise.

Noëlla Coursaris Musunka was born in Lubumbashi, DRC. Noëlla was educated in Belgium and Switzerland, and after achieving a degree in business management, she moved to London and broke into the world of international modeling. Noëlla's success brought her to New York where she started the Georges Malaika Foundation in 2007, in tandem with her active modeling career.

Noëlla has been featured in a 30-minute special on CNN's African Voices and CNN's Connect the World. Hoping to bring international attention to the education dilemma in Africa, she has addressed UNICEF and the Congolese Parliament about issues confronting underprivileged girls. She was also a panelist in the Global Creative Leadership Summit in 2009 and was a featured speaker at the United Nations' Investing in Women and Entrepreneurship Solutions to address the Millennium Development Goal 3 on International Women's Day 2011.

In 2012, Noëlla participated in the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in September 2012. She addressed President Bill Clinton during the Opening Plenary with a statement on GMF's commitment to educating African girls, as well as taking part in a discussion entitled 'Democratic Republic of Congo: Highlighting Action'.

Noëlla was also the host of the Cinema for Peace Gala in New York in 2012. Sting (who performed on the night), and Trudie Styler were honored for their environmental work in the Amazon Rainforest. In 2013 Noëlla served as host for The Cinema for Peace Gala in Los Angeles, honoring Ben Affleck for his Eastern Congo Initiative work.

Noëlla began 2013 on a great high when in January she was honored for her humanitarian work at the GOOD Awards in New York City in a special presentation by Russell Simmons.

For more information on the Georges Malaika Foundation, visit www.gmfafrica.org. To purchase tickets, go to www.gmfafrica.org/event. And if you are unable attend but still wish to make a donation, click HERE.