Inspirational Woman of The Month (December 2011)
I had the opportunity to meet up with Menaye and spoke to her about the matters close to her heart. I asked her to write you all a letter from her heart, to inspire, educate and empower you. The one thing I will tell you is “Menaye LOVES her MOTHER.”
Menaye Donkor’s Letter of Inspiration to YOU…..
I would like to start of by saying today is World AIDS Day. I hope you are remembering those who have HIV/AIDS and those who have died from the disease.
“HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it.”
Princess Diana
The one person who inspires me the most is my mother. It almost seems like a cliché but most women that I know often look up to other women, and not men, for their inspiration. I believe that we women are incredibly strong, determined and focused when we put our minds to something. We are extremely powerful, but often we are not aware of the power we hold. I believe that one strong woman can often instil this strength and belief in another woman. Using my mum as an example, she would go out there and make it happen if she wanted something done and she has given me the belief that I can do that too. Even at the age of 65 years she still runs the show as a business woman, a mother and a wife!
After I won the Miss Universe Ghana pageant in 2004, I decided to use my title for a good cause. My parents had always instilled in me the importance of charity and giving back to our community, so I wanted to use my profile as a platform to help support those in our community who needed it the most. So at the age of 23, I set up the Menaye Charity Organisation to help children in the deprived rural areas in Ghana and to support the orphanages looking after children infected or affected by HIV and AIDS.
This process involved raising monies, awareness and also educating the locals, especially women, in rural areas. It required a lot of hard work and determination but nothing was going to stop me. I met lots of wonderful people along the way including powerful businessmen and members in the government. Some were incredibly helpful and supportive, but others were resistant and just didn’t share my dreams and vision. I was a joke to many and sometimes told to give up to focus on being a model. After all, what would I know about running a charity? Not only was I young, I was also a woman, and this made the situation even more challenging. I had to work 100 times harder to prove myself. Even trying to get endorsement letters signed was like pulling teeth at times.
I didn’t give up though, and never listened to the doubters. The important thing was that my family were supportive, and of course my mum was there all the time helping me to stay focused. She believed in me 100% which helped me to believe in me too.
My charity now supports hundreds of children in Ghana, providing stable education for those who would otherwise not have had access to proper schooling. My mum helps to oversee the school I run, the Menaye International School, when I am not in Ghana and she does it with so much pride and joy. When I go and visit the school I know that my hard work and determination was completely worth it, and that anyone who ever doubted me was so wrong.
I’m not saying that every woman should want to become President, or take over the world. My message is that, if you want to achieve something, whatever that may be, then don’t let anything or anyone stop you. Yes, there may be doubters deterring you from your dreams but don’t let them dictate what you can and cannot do. Don’t let other people’s negativity affect your positivity and always remember that if something is too easy to attain or accomplish then it isn’t worth having in the first place!
And if you have a woman in your life like my Mum, remember to cherish that special person every day. Listen to her advice and wisdom, accept constructive criticism when she offers it, trust her wholeheartedly and respect her. She is on your side and has your best interests always at heart!
Love Always
Menaye xxx
