Digital Telegraph Correspondent
Philanthropist and life coach Mrs Fortunate Kufakunesu has been recognised for her trailblazing contributions to empowering young girls and women after she won the 2024 Women Changing the World Award in the United Kingdom last week.
The Harare-based businesswoman won the overall accolade at the 2024 Women Changing the World Awards, established by Trent to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of women across many fields, including humanitarian work.
The honour conferred on the businesswoman in London last week was in recognition of Kufakunesu’s dedication to empowering underprivileged young girls and women in Zimbabwe.
In her acceptance speech, the elated Mrs Kufakunesu – the founder of Lily of Valleys Home of Hope, a registered trust committed to educating, empowering, and protecting vulnerable communities – said she will continue to lend a helping hand to underprivileged young girls.
“I am honoured, thank you so much to the visionaries, I am so humbled. Thank you for this amazing vision, a vision that sees the forgotten, I would like to thank the organizing team and the judges, my Facebook followers and social media followers, my family, especially my husband, and my mentors, I thank you so much.
“All I do is live my passion, supporting and empowering adolescent girls and young women. Never did I imagine that one day I would stand before great and amazing people like you. Trust that someone out there will be inspired, the sky is never the limit. Whatever you desire to achieve, never give up,” she said.
In December last year, Kufakunesu launched her debut book, titled ‘A Woman of Purposeful Destiny,’ which explores her life journey and quest to discover her purpose in life. The book implores women to rise above challenges to pursue their purpose.
She said the book aligned with her vision to advise and uplift girls and women, igniting their journey of self-discovery.
“I have identified my way. I found out that my purpose is helping adolescent girls and other women,” she said during the launch of the book, which was attended by high-profile guests.
The businesswoman currently assists 35 learners with fees, 755 with sanitary wear, in Chihota, her rural home, where she has also established empowerment projects for local women. She said her philanthropic work was inspired by her tough upbringing.
Trent, the awards founder, emphasized the need to foster unity and collective action among women globally. “We are strong already, but together we are stronger,” she said.
“These exceptional women are here to awaken hearts, give permission to recapture dreams, and inspire the women of the world to come together to forge a brighter path for all. The rising of women is the awakening of everybody.”
See more pictures:
