On Sunday, December 10, 2023, 10-year-old Gakumba Ishya Daisy Gaëlle will represent Africa in a prestigious global public speaking competition. Daisy Gaëlle secured this opportunity by emerging victorious among pupils from five different schools across Rwanda. The Soroptimist International Foundation, a global network of volunteers dedicated to transforming the lives of women and girls in 118 countries, organizes the competition in collaboration with the Commonwealth Business Women’s network.
The event, tailored for girls aged between 10 and 11 years, will feature participants from a total of 11 countries. Five of these countries, including Pakistan, Canada, Cyprus, Australia, and Rwanda, are selected from Commonwealth nations. The remaining five countries will be chosen from non-Commonwealth nations with a Soroptimist club federation.
Emphasizing the competition’s goal, Maureen Maguire, President of the Soroptimist International Foundation, stated that it aims to inspire girls to take on a more prominent role in public speaking and enhance their communication skills. “The goal is to encourage young girls to develop research techniques, effective speaking skills, self-confidence, as well as nurture their personalities,” she emphasized.
Serge Indere, the Head Teacher at GS APACOPE, expressed confidence in Daisy Gaëlle’s abilities, citing her outstanding performance both academically and in co-curricular activities. “She is a bright student, excelling both inside and outside the classroom. I have no doubt that she will deliver an impressive performance on the international stage,” he remarked.
The competition, taking place via Zoom, will see participants from the eleven countries presenting their speeches to a broader audience, including a panel of judges. The event promises to be a significant platform for young talents to showcase their public speaking skills and contribute to the global dialogue on empowering girls.
