Charlize Theron may have ruffled a few Afrikaans feathers not so long ago.
However, her commitment to giving communities in need their wings is what really matters! We’re celebrating 15 years of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project:
Global (27 March, 2023) —Recently, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project celebrated 15 years of incredible work. Especially when it comes to celebrities, it’s easy to get caught up in gloss or feather-ruffling moments (as the ’44 Afrikaans speakers’ might recall). However, for many, a lot of important work giving back to the community is overlooked when it should be the main focus.
15 Years of Incredible Initiatives Across the Board!
15 years ago, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project was founded with the development and protection of young South Africans in mind. The initial focus was to stop the spread of HIV and AIDs in SA. Since, it has grown to focus on a wealth of other projects. Some have women-empowerment programmes and protection against GBV, like Together For Her.
Others have extended to uplifting disaster-struck communities, like last year’s fund-raiser for victims of the floods in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Many also extend beyond South Africa. In Zimbabwe, CTAOP partnered with the Biomedical Research and Training Institute to pressure health services for the youth there. In Zambia, they work with Africa Parks to focus on conservation, global health and livelihood efforts driven by the youth.
Even in fashion, Charlize has teamed up with change-makers like Thebe Magugu to do better, for others through design. The capsule wardrobe the CTAOP and Magugu collaborated on was a love letter to sisterhood, seeking creative ways to drive CTAOP’s values.
Weighing in on CTAOP’s birthday, award-winning South African actress Thuso Mbedu shared a few words of wisdom:
Do What You Can With What You Have
“To witness the massive change that @charlizeafrica and the team have done was not only awe-inspiring but it also filled me with so much hope. In those young leaders who have been actively impacted – there’s a great hope for a better future.
“To the youth of South Africa: you matter- more than your circumstances will let you believe. We believe in the power that rests in you and be encouraged as there are people who are actively fighting for you.
“To the rest:
Do what you can with what you have and watch it change the world. Use your voice, your resources, your community. There’s nothing as “too little” when it comes to making change for the better.”
You can get involved with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project here!
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