Meet Blondie Beatrice Ndebele! As an Atlas Corps Fellow on GFC’s communications team, Blondie provides a wide range of content creation, editorial, digital media, and design support.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU’RE FROM AND ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

I grew up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city. I am the first born in a family of two girls. I have a 5-year-old daughter whom I love dearly. I hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies and a master’s in international relations. I have a strong Christian background and a heart for local communities.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

I remember during school holidays, after hours of hard play on the dusty streets of my neighborhood, all covered in dirt and dust, I would run to the house and sit on the floor, very close to the TV screen, to watch my all-time favorite cartoons. In those days, children’s TV programs used to start at 2:00PM to around 5:00PM. I used to watch The Adventures of Blinky Bill, The Puzzle Place, Denver the Last Dinosaur, Hurricanes, Transformers, and many more. Funny enough, I still remember theme songs for most of those cartoons and TV shows.

WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS LINE OF WORK AND TO GFC?

My passion for communication for development and documenting the change stories of ordinary people. My passion for communication for development and my love for documenting issues affecting grassroots communities has brought me this far. As a news reporter and a media for development practitioner, I used to travel a lot to remote areas where I would interact with local communities to talk about the issues affecting them and possible solutions. Most of these issues had a greater impact on children, women, and young people. I’m also passionate about bridging knowledge gaps arising from the digital divide between rural and urban communities, which affect children and youth.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? WHAT WILL BE THE MOST SATISFYING?

The most challenging part of my job will be adjusting to American standards and perceived expectations.

What satisfies me the most is contributing toward global solutions to youth needs through learning and working.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE GFC’S WORK IS IMPORTANT?

GFC’s work empowers local organizations to creatively address issues affecting children and young people.

GFC and its partners are doing amazing work in alleviating the plight of children and youth by building global agency and commitments around their rights.

#FunFacts About Blondie

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY GROWING UP?

I hate to admit it but a small Barbie doll was the best! My friends and I used to make clothes from old clothes for our dolls. We used to bathe them, feed them mud, and mimic all the roles of a nursing mother in our small play areas. I truly miss those carefree moments as a child.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

I wanted to be a lawyer. For some reason, it was the only profession I knew that required arts subjects. I was never a fan of math or science subjects at school.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

I love trying out new recipes, hanging out with friends, nature walks, and visiting beautiful places.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?

Yes, a cute boerboel dog. I used to hate dogs until last year, when I got Boxer. He is my besty!

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

If I had a super power, it would be one that would solve all the world’s problems and make the world equal and just for all.