As the 2015 Women of the Future awards draw closer, The Weekly is taking a look back at last year’s finalists, like People’s Choice winner, Annabelle Chauncy.
Annabelle Chauncy is 28 and has dedicated her life to providing education for children in parts of Africa, including Uganda and Kenya, with School for Life.
When we first saw Annabelle Chauncy’s submission video, we were blown away. Her dedication to her foundation and her passion for her work was immediately evident. Our first impression wasn’t wrong, either. Annabelle was awarded the People’s Choice award in last year’s competition and received a prize totalling $30,000 to go towards her work in Uganda.
Annabelle with students from her school.
In Annabelle’s video she tells of how she juggled completing her university degree while pursuing her dream of building schools in areas where children do not have access to education. Since 2010, Annabelle has opened two tertiary schools which provide not only education for children, but also for adults, as well as teaching mothers and fathers to tailor clothes, sew clothes and provide for their families on an economical scale.
Annabelle also revealed in her video that she planned to use her prize money build and service a building in which women are taught to sew, so that the classroom they are currently learning in can be used for teaching children. She commented that this new building will allow another 100 children to be enrolled in the school, as well as providing education for more women.
“We know that if a woman is educated, she will make a better income and put that money straight back into her family and her family’s education, as well,” Ms Chauncy says, “What I’m really passionate about is mobilising these local women to be able to earn an income for themselves.”
Annabelle has also received a Medal of the Order of Australia, as well as being voted Cosmopolitan Magazine’s 2012 Role Model of the Year.
To make a difference like Annabelle has, and to have a chance to share in a $100,000 prize pool, visit wotf.aww.com.au and follow the prompts.
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