Marie Da Silva,
a prominent Malawian AIDS activist and the visionary behind the Jacaranda
Foundation, emerged as one of Africa's most influential change makers in 2023.
Hailing from Chembomba, Malawi, her journey towards impactful change began
unexpectedly while working as a nanny for Ricki Lake in 2002.
The dire
situation of her hometown school's impending closure prompted Da Silva to take
action. Refusing to let the children in Chembomba be deprived of education, she
ingeniously converted her family home into a temporary schoolhouse, utilizing a
portion of her nanny income to finance it. This marked the inception of the
Jacaranda Foundation, aimed at providing free education to AIDS orphans in
Malawi.
Following the
tragic loss of her mother, Da Silva sought assistance from Luc Deschamps, a
French businessman, who subsequently joined forces as the director of the
foundation. Under their guidance, the Jacaranda School flourished,
accommodating over 400 students and specializing in arts education, a domain
where Da Silva herself actively contributes as a teacher.
Da Silva's
remarkable dedication and contributions did not go unnoticed. In 2008, she was
honored as one of CNN's Heroes for her outstanding efforts in Malawian
education, a testament to her unwavering commitment to making a difference in
the lives of vulnerable children.
Today, Marie
Da Silva stands as a beacon of hope, exemplifying the power of grassroots
initiatives and individual resilience in effecting positive societal change,
earning her a well-deserved place among Africa's most impactful change makers.
