Author Archives: Nisha Varghese

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)

My 2023 Life Purposes and Goals in Review

“Make measurable progress in reasonable time.” – Jim Rohn

As we near the end of 2023 it is again time to review the goals I set at the beginning of the year

My 2023 Life Purposes and Goals in Review

My Life’s Purposes

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

2023 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. Sign up 5-10 cot guardians for Breath of Life  and additionally  raise at least R32 000 (Breath of Life is a place of safety for vulnerable babies here in my city I JUST LOVE THEIR WORK) [raised more than R32 000 but the cot guardians plans changed]
  5. Be a great support to Abigail Boshoff [I have tried and will continue to]
  6. Focus on wellness – have good diet, exercise, good sleep, gratitude and get more sun [need to work on sleep, exercise and diet]
  7. Go on a boat cruise here in East London with Southern Cross Cruises -hopefully see whales or dolphins [failed]
  8. Practice Patience [tried sometimes]
  9. Become financially free [failed]
  10. Teach kids and adults worldwide that Different Is COOL [did my best]
  11. 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 [did my best]
  12. Choose people who choose me [I’m trying]
  13. Read 24+ books [read 12 books]
  14. Plant 1-5 trees [somebody else planted the trees oonn my behalf during the Knysna reforestation project]
  15. Do 32+ good deeds [I wasn’t counting but I’m sure i surpassed my goal]

My Superhero Catherine Constantinides Wins Big at Glamour South Africa’s Women of the Year Awards

My Superhero Catherine Constantinides at Glamour South Africa’s Women of the Year Awards (Image credit @thesatarsisters_photography on Instagram and Catherine Constantinides (@changeagentsa on Instagram)

“Those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23: 12

Two days ago at Glamour South Africa‘s Women of the Year Awards My Superhero Catherine Constantinides, who has devoted her life to serving others both locally and globally, was honoured with a Humanitarian Game Changer Award. I’m so proud of her she truly deserves it I sincerely feel like MY Christmas came a month early. My heart is full!!

Below is the official statement released by My Superhero Catherine Constantinides‘s team:

South African Sweetheart, Scoops Award

@ChangeAgentSA, climate activist and agent of change; who showcases a life that is shaped and moulded by a relentless passion for people and planet. GLAMOUR Women of the Year 2023, HUMANITARIAN Game Changer Award goes to Catherine Constantinides. South African thought leader, Humanitarian and Climate Activist, who is focused on food, energy, water security, and waste management, a social entrepreneur, social justice activist and human rights defender.

The event was hosted on Saturday evening, at Langham’s Lifestyle Estate; boasting GLAMOUR and women of absolute substance. The Glamour Awards honoured and celebrated the women that have been selected as game-changing in their field. Hosted, annually by Glamour magazine. The Women of the Year awards honour “extraordinary and inspirational” women from a variety of fields, including entertainment, business, sports, music, science, medicine, education and politics.

This dynamic woman has travelled the world and worked hands on in some of the world’s most forgotten communities. Her consistent commitment for sustainable development and climate action is evident in the endless work that her organisation and programmes have achieved over the past two decades. Catherine has spoken at global platforms and has served at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva and at the UN Security Council in New York; she was the Guest of Honour at the closing ceremony at the World Youth Forum in Egypt where she addressed an audience 5000 strong, which was broadcast to more than 10Million people.

Constantinides, has been listed as one of Africa’s Top 100 Young People, has been given accolades by government, institutions and global entities. She is a Mail and Guardian Top “100 South Africans to have lunch with”, listed in SA’s second season of 21 Icons, an Archbishop Tutu African Oxford Fellow and Mandela Washington Fellow. Catherine was also named as one of the 100 Mandela’s of The Future, the acknowledgment of her climate and humanitarian work is endless.  

She works actively as a human rights defender who has worked in conflict zones around the world from Afghanistan, to Syria and Lebanon, Kashmir, Cyprus and the Western Sahara, Africa’s Last Colony.  

On receiving the award Constantinides humbly stated, “This is not for me… it is for the heroes that believe and support my work, they walk this journey alongside me. It is for the humanitarians on the frontlines who don’t have a platform from which to speak. It is for the doctors and aid workers on the ground that see the worst of humanity, but still continue their work. It is by the grace of God that I stand before you, grateful and thankful, for the recognition of my work. I pay tribute to my young son, who shares his mother with people in need and enables me to do the work I do.”

You can find Catherine on all social media platforms @ChangeAgentSA

A moment unforgettable for My Superhero Catherine Constantinides at Glamour South Africa’s Women of the Year Awards (Image credit @thesatarsisters_photography on Instagram and Catherine Constantinides (@changeagentsa on Instagram)

A well-deserved award for the hardest-working Superhero in the WORLD (Image credit: @thesatarsisters_photography on Instagram and Catherine Constantinides (@changeagentsa on Instagram)

(Note: All images in this post are captured by @thesatarsisters_photography and used with permission from Catherine Constantinides (@changeagentsa on Instagram)