Princess Charlene returns to Monaco
After an extended stay in South Africa, Her Serene Highness (HSH) Princess Charlene of Monaco returned home on Sunday evening. She has recovered well, is healthy, and is looking forward to reuniting with her family.
HSH Princess Charlene arrived in South Africa earlier this year to work and raise public awareness around various humanitarian causes, while empowering ambassadors and affiliates to continue making a difference in their communities.
Unfortunately, during her stay, the former Olympic swimmer and founder of The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa, fell ill and was hospitalised many times after contracting an ENT infection. Due to the medical procedures, she was prohibited from travelling by air, which resulted in her extended stay in the country. The extra time in South Africa, however, was put to “extra” good use.
Since being in South Africa, HSH Princess Charlene was extensively involved with her Foundation initiatives, with a particular focus on #chasingzero, #educate2gether, and #feed2gether.
Speaking out against the atrocity of wildlife poaching and doing something about it before it’s too late is something HSH Princess Charlene is exceptionally passionate about. Through the Chasing Zero Initiative, the Princess was involved with various conservation operations such as rhino monitoring and tracking, deployment with the Anti-Poaching Unit, educational wildlife photography sessions, and a White Rhino dart and dehorning exercise at a Safari in KwaZulu-Natal.
Following the great success of the 2020 #strongtogether campaign, HSH Princess Charlene announced the launch of their theme for 2021 – #educate2gether. She implemented the “Learn to Swim” and “Water Safety” programmes aimed in particular at disadvantaged children who are at risk of drowning due to their environment.
Through The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa, she also joined hands with the Louis Oosthuizen Foundation57’s iPapa57 Feeding the Children programme to raise funds to produce specially formulated maize products for children between the ages of three and five. Currently, the iPapa57 programme feeds between 460 and 480 children at 18 SmartStart Early Childhood Development (ECD) community centres in the Mossel Bay area.
“South Africa has – and always will be – in my heart. Every time I visit this beautiful country, I am filled with immense joy and pride. I want to thank everyone for being so hospitable and supportive during my time here. I am looking forward to reuniting with my six-year-old twins, Jacques and Gabriella, and husband, Prince Albert,” says HSH Princess Charlene.
Sport has the power to inspire young people and transform lives. This is the central idea that prompted Princess Charlene of Monaco to launch a foundation that would work to end death and disease caused by water fatalities. The Foundation focuses on the fact that drowning is a preventable epidemic which predominantly affects children and youth. In the five years since its inception in 2012, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has established 149 projects in 33 countries, reaching nearly half a million people, mostly children.
These programmes raise awareness about the crucial issue of water safety and teach people to swim. The Foundation also uses the transformative power of the positive values of sport by giving children access to a variety of sporting disciplines. Its Sport and Education initiatives include providing financial support to talented athletes who lack the funds to realise their dreams.
In South Africa, the Foundation has implemented projects in Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng. These projects reach out to underprivileged youth and teach them how to enjoy the benefits of sport in a safe and controlled manner. Thus far, the Foundation has worked with thousands of South African youth, and through the efforts of the SA chapter of the Foundation, many more young lives will benefit. The valuable work of the Foundation also extends to children from disabled communities, who are often marginalised and neglected.
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