Officially 33!!!

Cake cutting at Breath of Life

Birthdays are a chance to look back and forward at the same time.

Yesterday I turned 33 and what a blessed day it was….lots of people came to visit, lots of cake was had and lots of love was shared. Thank you to everyone who made my day so special.

THANK YOU to my children who make me more – more kind, more driven, more brave….more in every way
THANK YOU to my family and Breath of Life who made me a memory blanket and hand-delivered it. And thank you to the Breath of Life carers who help me function in that house [I have never failed in that house and it’s because of each of you…THANK YOU!!]
Thank you to my family who ordered me a cake with the names of the children who were previously at Breath of Life (we intentionally did not put names of our current children because that would be illegal)
And lastly thank you to all of you who donated to my crowdfunding campaign benefiting Breath of Life. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Miss Earth South Africa Celebrating World Recycling Day with Interwaste and MetPac-SA

Miss Earth South Africa has partnered with Interwaste, Waste & Recycling Management Company and MetPac-SA the producer responsibility organisation, who are responsible for the post-consumer metal packaging in SA; for the 2024 Global Recycling Day, focussing on our daily habits of recycling. A matter that carries huge significance and can no longer be ignored. It is critical that waste and recycling are re-examined and that each individual looks at how they contribute to the waste stream and how they can be part of the solution in reducing pollution. Our planet Earth has become littered by waste products as a result of improper social behaviour. Waste has covered our land, filled our air and has had a significant impact on our oceans. Governments, corporates and industry must be held to account. “There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.” This statement needs to be understood in a recycling context, ‘away’ must be a specific place that our waste goes to.

“The Miss Earth South Africa organisation, through their #WasteStopsWithME campaign; hold the individual accountable. We believe in, promote and work towards a common goal of sustainability and conscious living,” says Ella Bella Leite, the Director of Miss Earth South Africa. “We are a programme that educates and empowers young women, while working with learners across the education system, so that they can take on the challenges that we face as a society. We are honoured to be able to work with like-minded corporates that support our community work and upliftment programmes, like Southern Sun, Skin Renewal, Lanza SA and Newsclip Media Monitoring. Our sponsors enable us to do the work we love.”

The partners for Global Recycling Day are key to the work done in schools and communities. Interwaste believe in an ethos of ‘Serving Land and Life’, realizing that it is the life we are creating, that needs protecting. This is a company that provides integrated waste and environmental solutions for individuals and corporates so as to help them, to be a part of the solution. They believe that the key to recycling is to know your waste, how to sort it and what process is required to recycle it. The Interwaste team strives towards the principle of zero waste to landfill.

Our sponsor, MetPac-SA, represents the metal packaging value chain in SA and reports directly to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, on matters relating to post-consumer metal packaging recovery and recycling. The main objective is to ensure that the metal packaging industry, demonstrates perfect synchronisation regarding waste management plans, circular economy, environmental sustainability, promoting a goal of zero waste in the environment.

Recycling provides many benefits to our environment as it creates a healthier planet for all our people and for future generations. Recycling reduces the need to extract resources such as timber, water, minerals and other products, it conserves natural resources and allows materials to be used over and over again.

Since 1993, there has been an increase in used beverage can collection, from 18% to 72%. Aluminium cans are one of the top most recyclable materials. They are 100% recyclable and can be processed multiple times. Recycling secondary aluminium uses less than 20% of the energy needed for extraction of new aluminium, making it a highly sought after packaging material.  

In closing Leite stated, “Our programme for this year, is impactful and tangible. We believe that our learners at schools are ready for the challenge to increase their recycling habits. We have taken the problem to them, and explained how they can make a difference. Let’s get recycling and ensure that #WasteStopsWithME!!”

PAY IT FORWARD – JOIN THE MISS EARTH SA MOVEMENT

Image source: Facebook/Miss Earth SA

The Miss Earth South Africa Leadership programme, is in its 21st year.  This is a programme that has been built, brick by brick, and tree by tree, over two decades. Most importantly it has grown and empowered one young woman at a time. Looking back, today we can say that it has mentored hundreds of young women.

“‘When you learn, teach. When you get, give.’ In the words of Maya Angelou, we ask our young women to go out and pay it forward. That is how we change the world. This is our objective for our 21st year,” says Ella Bella, National Director of Miss Earth South Africa.

It is not about winning the title and competing internationally. That is simply an experience, an amazing opportunity and a benefit of the programme. The programme is about so much more; the opportunities and learnings are vast. Each delegate has the opportunity to grow and develop. You will learn about the greatest challenges our people face in the climate space, and how it affects us as all as South Africans and global citizens. Being part of this leadership and empowerment programme means you will understand that you as an individual can make a difference. More-over you will become an active citizen in our nation caring for people and for planet. You will carry these elements with you throughout your life and it is hoped that you will in turn impact the lives of those around you and pay it forward to the community that you engage in.

You would be joining an impactful sisterhood, that understands and supports you. The programme is about touching the lives of every young woman that wants to make a difference. Apply to be part of the Miss Earth South Africa Leadership and Empowerment Programme for 2024.

Please WHATSAPP your name and email address to 082 5050 664. 

Applications will close on the 15th April. South African ladies from 18 – 26 years old are eligible.

#Nisha33 Campaign Goal Reached. THANK YOU ALL!

“Many hands make light work.” -Unknown

As of this afternoon we’ve reached my #Nisha33 campaign goal benefitting Breath of Life, a place of safety for abandoned babies here in East London, South Africa, the original goal was R33 000 and with 18 days to go till my birthday so far we’ve raised R33 000. I’m so thankful to everyone who has helped out…truly thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I will still anyone still wishing to make a donation can do so at  https://www.backabuddy.co.za/nisha-33

#Nisha33 – Fundraising for Breath of Life in Honour of my 33rd Birthday

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

On February 26th 2024  I again started actively fundraising again for Breath of Life – a place of safety here in East London, South Africa, that homes abandoned and vulnerable babies – but this time I’m aiming to raise R33 000 in honour of my upcoming 33rd   birthday (happening on March 25th) and 33rd   year of life. If you wish to donate you can do so at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/nisha-33 and kindly share the campaign on social media using #Nisha33

HONOURED to be a guest on The Power of Stories Podcast #ThePowerOfStories

Image credit: SayItForward.org

Never be afraid to be a beginner at something

A few weeks ago, I was HONOURED to be a guest on The Power of Stories Podcast I was excited to be on the podcast because firstly I’ve long been a fan of The Power of Stories Podcast and secondly because I’d never done a podcast before and I’m always excited to try new things. A huge thank you to Sharon and Yodit for making me feel so comfortable before, during and after the interview.

Listen to the episode below:

Lent 2024

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Today Christians enter the 40-day Lenten period and while it’s traditional to give up foods and vices during Lent today I woke up and prayed that God make me pure of heart and I committed to intentionally practicing The Fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control . I know I won’t be perfect in the next 40 days but I will be trying.

Pray for me always ☦️☦️☦️

6 Years (and counting) at Breath of Life

“Time is the most valuable thing that a man can spend.” — Diogenes

On January 20th 2018 I entered the Breath of Life house to drop of diapers and I sort of forgot to leave – 6 years and lots of babies later a lot has changed but my love for and commitment to the babies in that nursery is stronger than ever.

Thank you to Michelle Rielly who first welcomed me into the Breath of Life house, loved me and believed in me with me, thank you to Abigail Boshoff who continues to make me feel welcome in the Breath of Life house and thank you to our team of baby caregivers, staff and volunteers who love and look after our babies

Life’s Purposes and 2024 Goals

“The great danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” –Michelangelo

Today is New Year’s Day and with that comes new hopes, new opportunities and new goals. Check out my life’s purpose and 2024 Goals below:

My Life’s Purposes

  1. Fill the world with kindness and love
  2. Make a difference – level the playing field for people who were born with the cards stacked against them
  3. Change perceptions about differently-abled people

2024 Goals

  1. Continue to be kind, honest, generous, grateful, loyal and filled with wonderment
  2. Every day be the best SuperSidekick to Superhero Catherine Constantinides (she’s the best, most hardworking real-life Superhero I’ve ever met she totally deserves me forever  and no matter what else I’m doing in life I will always be here for her)
  3. Maintain and strengthen my deep friendship with Michelle Rielly  
  4.  Raise at least R33 000 for Breath of Life and request that the government create a third category for baby havens so we can increase our numbers without anxiety  (Breath of Life is a place of safety for vulnerable babies here in my city I JUST LOVE THEIR WORK)
  5. Take a classroom of kids to the movies for the first time
  6. Build a strong relationship with Abigail Boshoff
  7. Have more fun – maybe take up painting, or pottery or simply going to the beach more often
  8. Focus on wellness – pray every day, have good diet, exercise, good sleep, gratitude and get more sun
  9. Go on a boat cruise here in East London with Southern Cross Cruises -hopefully see whales or dolphins
  10. Paraglide in Interlaken, Switzerland
  11. Practice Patience
  12. Become financially free
  13. Teach kids and adults worldwide that Different Is COOL
  14. Continue to raise awareness about the Western Sahara conflict – the Western Sahara has been illegally occupied by Morocco since 1975 due to the fact that it’s rich in natural and though the UN promised a referendum in 1991 it has yet to come to pass meanwhile half of the Saharawi People have been living in the refugee camps in Algeria since 1975
  15. Choose people who choose me
  16. Read 24-48 books
  17. Plant 1-5 trees
  18. Do 33+ good deeds

(Note: Goals are subject to change with time and that’s ok because I will change with time)