Introducing Abigail Boshoff

Abigail Boshoff and I

“There is nothing permanent except change.” -Heraclitus


New chapter at Breath of Life – as of January 1st 2023 Abigail Boshoff officially took over from Michelle Rielly as Housemom but Michelle will remain coordinator at Breath of Life working remotely from the Western Cape

Dear Michelle although you are not physically in the nursery anymore know that every time i return to hold the babies i will be holding them for both of us – your love is etched in my soul and flows through my veins. Also i plan to put you to work from where you are.

Dear Abigail i promise to always show up, you will never be alone in this journey, this I promise you. You, me and Michelle are now a triangle, each side supporting the other. We won’t let you fall ever. I look forward to getting to know you

Michelle, Abigail and I at Michelle’s farewell party in December 2022

Life’s Purposes and 2023 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 2023 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

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)
  5. Be a great support to Abigail Boshoff
  6. Focus on wellness – have good diet, exercise, good sleep, gratitude and get more sun
  7. Go on a boat cruise here in East London with Southern Cross Cruises -hopefully see whales or dolphins
  8. Practice Patience
  9. Become financially free
  10. Teach kids and adults worldwide that Different Is COOL
  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
  12. Choose people who choose me
  13. Read 24+ books
  14. Plant 1-5 trees
  15. Do 32+ good deeds

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

My 2022 Life Purposes and Goals in Review

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

As we near the end of 2022 it is again time to review the goals I set at the beginning of the year

My 2022 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]

2022 Goals

  1. Continue to be kind, honest, generous, grateful, loyal and filled with wonderment [ self-assessment: I did my best – I give myself an A+]
  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) [ again self-assessment: I knocked it out of the park I’m so proud of myself– I give myself an A+]
  1. Raise at least R31 000 for Breath of Life   [ self-assessment: I did the math and  I raised a minimum of R33 600 ]
  2. Eat healthily and Exercise – reduce sugar by a lot and exercise back muscles [ self-assessment: I failed]
  3. Sleep better [ self-assessment: failed]
  4. Spend more time outside [ self-assessment: failed]
  5. Practice Patience [ self-assessment: failed epically]
  6. Make a steady income [ self-assessment: failed – my priority was making a difference]
  7. Teach kids and adults worldwide that Different Is COOL [ self-assessment: I tried]
  8. 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 [ self-assessment: I tried]
  9. Choose people who choose me [ self-assessment: it’s a work-in-progress]
  10. Read 12+ books [read 7 books]
  11. Plant 1-5 trees [failed – no trees planted]
  12. Do 31+ good deeds [ self-assessment: I don’t count my good deeds but if I did I’m sure over the course of this year I have done 31 or more]

Farewell to the Home of my Heart, Michelle Rielly

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn’t stop for anybody.” – Stephen Chbosky

On October 7th 2022 my life changed forever when Michelle Rielly gently informed that as of December 14th 2022 she would no longer be Housemom at Breath of Life as she was stepping down to relocate to support her husband in his career progression – my heart is shattered it’s going to be so jarring to see another family in place of The Riellys I love Michelle like I love no one else in this life it hurts that she’s leaving but I’m thankful for five years of stunning memories and I know our story is not over

Nisha and Michelle Chapter 1 (2018-2022)

My Superhero Catherine Constantinides Spoke at the UN on behalf of Western Sahara

Catherine Constantinides at the UN

“In our lifetime the Saharawi People must be and deserve to be free.” – Catherine Constantinides

Recently My Superhero and Human Rights Defender Catherine Constantinides spoke at the UN on behalf of Western Sahara, a country that has been under illegal military occupation by Morocco for more than forty years.

Watch her full speech below

Superhero, there are no words for how proud I am of your kindness, courage and commitment. I love you endlessly

Head, Heart and Hands in the game, Miss Earth South Africa 2022 announced… 

Miss Earth South Africa 2022, Ziphozethu Sithebe

Miss Earth South Africa has always advocated for the development of young women in South Africa as Environmental Ambassadors. With an unprecedented two years behind us, we face more environmental challenges today than we ever have. And the issue of the climate emergency needs to be tackled head on. Who better to champion this cause, than our very own ambassadors; rooted in their communities and inspired by an organisation that has been established and entrenched in science, community, education, and empowerment. 

A perfectly inspired Spring announcement was hosted at the Southern Sun Rosebank in Johannesburg where the ten Miss Earth South Africa finalists from across South Africa gathered for a morning sharing their journey, engaging and an opportunity for the organisation to unpack some of the exciting programmes, projects and campaigns that have made up the year 2022.    

Celebrating almost two decades of Environmental Advocacy, Community Service and another generation of Green Leaders which form part of the strong fold of young women; 22-year-old Ziphozethu Sithebe from Centurion was crowned Miss Earth South Africa 2022. With an avid passion for aviation and the green innovation within this space, she has been hard at work over the past few months with her greening projects and campaigns. Sithebe is joined by her runner up: Nthabiseng Kgasi, a marketer and home girl from Protea Glen, this former Miss Soweto, is 27-years-old and is no stranger to the media space. Included in the line-up of announcements made, two ambassadors were announced to complete the Top 4. Knysna beauty, Angelique Fourie is a BA Corporate Comms graduate and is passionate about sustainability and community development and is joined in the top four, by KwaZulu Natal’s Melissa Lederle from Pietermaritzburg and is currently completing her PhD on Climate Change, Refugees and 21st Century Scenarios. Sithebe will represent South Africa later this year in the Philippines for the 2022 Miss Earth and we have no doubt she will fly the flag high.  

Miss Earth SA 2022 Top 4

In 2019 Prof Thuli Madonsela, stated in a video message, the quote below, and today her words remain engraved and powerful to each new cohort of young women who apply to be part of this programme; “It is all our responsibility to understand a small inaction can have grave consequences for the country, continent and the world.” She went on to say that; “These young women of the Miss Earth programme have the greatest commitment to create change.” 

In early September 2022 a panel of judges spent the day with the young women who unpacked their community projects and work. Judges included the CEO of the Green Development Foundation: Rebecca Ngaka; Director of the Europa Art group, Melina Lambrakis; world renowned designer and the man behind the world-famous Madiba Shirt, Sonwabile Ndamase and broadcasting giant Leanne Manas, a face and personality that is no stranger to South Africans.  

Off the back of a period in time that sent the world into a spin, we now return to a sense of ‘normality’ but we have stepped back into a world where the impact of climate change continues to pain and wreak havoc in communities, cities and countries throughout the world. Closer to home the devastating floods earlier this year devastated KwaZulu Natal and issues around water shortages and even the electricity crisis can all be linked and tied back to the fact that we have not addressed a changing climate and addressed the challenges that science has told us about for decades.  

With a passionate commitment and mission to change the perception and understanding of climate change, the impact of environmental degradation and the crucial waste, water and food security paradigm, the Miss Earth South Africa organisation is firmly committed to ensuring that through campaigns such as the #WasteStopsWithME they are able to be on the ground, in cities and communities across the country; from  Johannesburg to Tshwane, KwaZulu Natal and Cape Town, Eldorado and Soweto, Alexandria to Gugulethu, to name but a few. Communities were engaged, clean-ups were hosted and communities gathered, to understand and engage the topic at a local level.  

Through these programmes, the primary objective is always to create awareness and more importantly to educate on the issue of waste management and the catastrophic affects of a lack of waste-consciousness for our country and the globe – with a core focus on taking the issue of waste to the individual and connecting ordinary South Africans to their own waste generation and footprint. In other programmes food security, Ocean Protection, eWaste, Conservation and illegal wildlife trade, are but a few of the focus areas that are tackled each year.  

 
Ella Bella Leite, Director of the programme said; “Finalists demonstrate clear leadership qualities, creative thinking, strength of the mind and character, most importantly a passion for making a sustainable difference in their communities. Each year it is immensely rewarding to see the growth and influence of the Miss Earth South Africa programme, over a period of more than sixteen years we can confidentially say that we have empowered, educated and encouraged young women from around South Africa to become Environmental Ambassadors.”  

The Miss Earth programme is proud to work with partners such as Southern Sun, The Europa Art Group, Interwaste, GebCo, Green Development Foundation, Servest, Skin Renewal, Eco-Monkey Recycling, Newsclip Media Monitoring, Samsonite, Sava Vinyls and the Department of Environmental Affairs.  

  
In congratulating the Miss Earth South Africa 2022 winners, Candy Tothill, Southern Sun’s General Manager of Corporate Affairs and Head of Marketing & Brands said, “Southern Sun is consciously committed to integrating best environmental practices into our core business strategy, and we try to ensure that our conduct meets the needs of the present, while minimising the cost to future generations. It has been a pleasure to host this year’s announcement at Southern Sun Rosebank and we extend our warmest congratulations to the winners. We wish them every success in the months ahead, as they work to promote environmental consciousness and improve conditions in their communities.” 

The ladies have been spoilt with gifts from Lanza, Clarins South Africa, Panier De Sens, The Laser Beautique, L’abeille Natural Alchemy, David Green Eyewear and the winner will be supported by Europa Art, Samsonite, JJ Schoeman and Vukani Fashion as she prepares for the international event.  

Finally, Executive Director of Miss Earth South Africa, Catherine Constantinides, also an international climate activist and human rights defender said; “Heroes don’t live in story books they live amongst us and we as the Miss Earth Leadership Programme have to ensure we empower and inspire these young women to be active citizens and be those heroes we need in society to allow us to change the problems we face on a social, community level and linking that to the environmental impact we are faced with as a society. We are faced with a climate emergency and we have no time to lose; it is our belief that these young women will take the #GreeningMinds into every sphere of their communities and platforms of influence as they set the agenda and shift behaviour, mindsets and the future we strive for. Their time is now!”  

Miss Earth SA Directors, Catherine Constantinides and Ella Bella Leite with former Miss Earth SA queens
Miss Earth SA Directors, Catherine Constantinides and Ella Bella Leite with the Miss Earth SA 2022 Top 4

Superhero Catherine Constantinides and Miss Earth South Africa Green Houghton Primary School #ArbourMonth

Superhero Catherine Constantinides and learners planting trees

“To be without trees would, in the most literal way, to be without our roots.”Richard Mabey

Yesterday, ahead of Arbour Month, My Superhero Catherine Constantinides and the Miss Earth South Africa programme planted trees at Houghton Primary School. Thank you to GebCo and 3Sixty. for the support of this project and the programme.

Teamwork makes the dream work
Catherine, Ella and the Miss Earth SA delegates

Generation Earth together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Green Development Foundation Clean and Green Alex

Superhero and her team

“The Earth is what we all have in common.”—Wendell Berry

Today, My Superhero Catherine Constantinides, founder of Generation Earth, together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Green Development Foundation cleaned and greened the Alexandra Township in honour of Mandela Day on July 18th

Teamwork
Every action makes an impact

Officially off the grid thanks to In House Solar

The future is green energy, sustainability, renewable energy.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

As of yesterday, my house is solar-powered I’m so excited. The whole process took 4 days – step 1 was the installation of the battery and the invertor; step 2 was the mounting of 12 solar panels and step 3 was the wiring of the panels. A HUGE thanks to Warren Dixon and his team at In House Solar for their professional and affordable service – our road to green was made easy and exciting thanks to their exceptional service.

If you live in East London and want to go green Warren and his team at In House Solar are the people you need to call. Contact Warren on 071 415 3981  

Warren and his team preparing the roof for panel installation
The team at In House Solar working hard installing panels for us
Panels installed
More panels – In House Solar installed a total of 12 Panels for us
Now for the wiring
And we’re officially green – thanks to In House Solar

Superhero Catherine Constantinides and Generation Earth Celebrate World Environment Day Planting Trees

Superhero Catherine Constantinides and the young people planting trees at Solwazi Primary School in Orange Farm  (Photo Credit @thesatarsisters on Instagram)

“True humanity comes from protecting all that is around us!” – Catherine Constantinides 

Recently in celebration of World Environment Day My Superhero Catherine Constantinides and her team at Generation Earth spent time at Solwazi Primary School in Orange Farm educating children about protecting the planet as well as planting a few trees. A huge thank you to Azraa & Sameerah Satar (@thesatarsisters on Instagram)  for capturing photos from that day that you can see in this post.

My Superhero Catherine Constantinides, a ROCKSTAR WITH A SPADE  (Photo Credit @thesatarsisters on Instagram)
Teamwork  (Photo Credit @thesatarsisters on Instagram)
All in a days work for Generation Earth  (Photo Credit @thesatarsisters on Instagram)