Changing the world one smile at a time

Henriette Lamprecht – She is a humanitarian with a philanthropic heart and an advocate for change. A 27-year-old optimist on a mission to change the world one project and one smile at a time.

Cecilijah Oletu Nghidengwa - better known as Cecilijah, Happiness Coordinator at Wolwedans - describes herself as gifted with the art of healing and a people person with inborn problem-solving skills.

“I’m very down to earth and love to learn and teach. I’m self-taught in many fields and a fast learner that adapts to any environment.”

Having a keen interest in cultural diversity, Cecilijah loves to promote culture and heritage. In a nutshell, a jack of many trades and a master of change.

As a believer in manifestation and energy, she believes the energy we put into the universe is the energy that fuels us.

“When you say something, you will receive it. What you confess, you will possess. This is why it is important to control your tongue, prayers, and your wishes.”

She firmly believes we were placed on this earth for individual reasons, explains Cecilijah.

“If you live your life by default, you are most likely to live life to your satisfaction as opposed to living it by design, which is according to other people’s expectations. Be the you that you want yourself to be!”

Creativity has been a constant companion in her life, influenced by her father, who exposed her to a “lot of stuff that was very interesting”.

“He always strived to teach me about the world and the ways of life.”

Her creative journey, however, seriously started in 2009 when she did a workshop and community development project called Shebeen Shakers with the Equipped Dance Academy.

“We went into the communities and sent out messages of change through the art of dance - this was the highlight for me.

I knew I was meant to help enhance and educate people through the arts.”

Cecilijah went on to do poetry, getting involved in poetry workshops and spending two years with Grassroots Slam Poetry - even becoming the director of the programme.

In 2017 she registered at the College of the Arts (COTA) to study performing arts, majoring in theatre studies.

Creating the platform HeART Creatives, she started doing freelance work in the art industry with the aim to promote networking by acting as a bridge between the creative and corporate world.

“Creativity is everything to me. As a creative, your subconscious mind is always in that setting of having to see two sides of everything, connecting some ideas to what is presented before you.

“I use my creativity to change lives through arts, which has been one of the most organically healing mechanisms I can share with others through development and team building.”

It’s the little things that make her happy, says Cecilijah. The smiles on peoples’ faces, her family, and her ability to alter or rather influence others’ wellbeing - showing gratitude, being optimistic, practicing acts of kindness, relishing life in an inclusive and considerate way and using her energy to shine light onto others.

Being a voice for the young, she strongly feels it is important to share their stories and empower the youth.

“I have been oppressed before, so I know how blinding it can be. At some point, I have allowed myself to be limited to what I have learned. Thankfully, I had an open-minded father who taught me to emancipate myself from indoctrination. As soon as that happened, I was able to move mountains! To me, being a voice for the voiceless means sharing activities that are meant for community building and social change.”

The youth needs a purpose, says Cecilijah, in most cases craving the sense of belonging she aims to inspire.

Through her activism, she can present platforms with an opportunity to network with others and thereby empower and inspire young people to become agents of positive change in their local and global communities.

Also dear to her heart is the rebirth of the Youth Empowerment Arts Education Association, which will focus on community development, specifically a “fierce upliftment” of marginalized communities.

Cecilijah describes Wolwedans as one of the most beautiful places in the world, with the setting perfectly apt to kickstart her journey as a happiness coordinator.

“What an incredible position, one that I will say is a superscript to everything I have ever been!”

Her job focuses on, amongst others, creating and implementing programs that aim to improve employee satisfaction, motivation, consciousness, and overall wellbeing.

She is also responsible for encouraging and driving the concept of change through the AridEden Project, Wolwedans’ Vision 2030 which embraces the five pillars of sustainability (consciousness, conservation, community, commerce and culture).

“There is also guest relations, career guidance, and being the trainee support to the Desert Academy trainees. All while driving the vision that our purpose is the pursuit of happiness and that Wolwedans exists to inspire a new way.”

She would like her father to be still impactful through thought, says Cecilijah. Her legacy will be her name as an epitome of happiness - shining light and energy even when she has been long gone.

“I want my name to be associated with positive influence and change!”

Her bucket list includes continuously acquiring knowledge of the science of wellbeing (psychology) and incorporating the aspect of human resources, all while expanding her horizon in the field of happiness.

“I would love to go to Bhutan in the Eastern Himalayas in Southern Asia. It is famous for its awe-inspiring mountainous landscape and matched in its brilliance by the country's enchanting and vibrant culture. This is also where I first learned about the Minister of Happiness!”

The next stop is the United Arab Emirates and to hopefully soon be a part of the World Happiness Summit, a three-day event uniting the world’s leading experts in the science of wellbeing, learning practical tools for a happier life. – [email protected]



*POSITIVE INFLUENCE

*PURPOSE