Hi! Let me introduce you to me and my projects. My name is Katura Halleday, I am 19 years old and define myself as an artist, humanitarian, and social justice advocate.
I am passionate about two things in life, art being one and the other the education of young women in developing countries. By following these passions, I have been able to fulfil my dream of uniting my community through art whilst helping to continue the education of those less fortunate.
In 2018 I started a Social Enterprise, 8×8 to Educate, donating 100% of the profits to education in Mozambique. We have now expanded to include girls from Tanzania. I currently have three main income streams, a book written by Natasha Yates that my sister and I illustrated called Rina’s Story, an annual Art Award and professional public speaking engagements.
Our art exhibition funds a scholarship program allowing girls in Mozambique and Tanzania access to an education from Primary school to the completion of university. Our mission is to ensure that we have strong female leaders educated and ready to stake up positions in Business, Government and Medicine.
We have also assisted to rebuild a school for 2000 students in Mozambique (I have been able to facilitate the donation of 105 Surface Pro computers, school supplies, building material, furniture and tools).
In 2022 we have expanded the work of 8x8 to include a Period Poverty project call Project Dignity. This project provides reusable sanitary products to girls so that they can attend 100% of their lessons at school. We are currently building a facility for girls to manufacture these pads in country to grow the impact of the project. We also have funded a literacy program, currently providing Maths, English and Human Rights lessons to 30 girls in the Beria area of Mozambique.
I have been fortunate to have these activities recognised by the local and international community. I was the Leadership HQ Student Leader of the year in 2020, AMP Foundation Change Maker 2020, WIBBA Empowering Young Women 2019, the Women in Business Rising Star for 2018, International Stevie Silver Award in New York, Australian Representative at the International Forum for Volunteers in Russia, and the subject of an internationally award winning short film ‘Katura’s Story’ which I presented to the United Nations in February 2020.
While I am honoured by these awards, I am more grateful for the platform it has given me to have my voice heard, and to highlight the issues of Educational Equality.
I hope you find my story inspirational and that it ignites in you a desire to help.
honours and awards
The Diana Award
Princess of Wales Humanitarian Award - 2021
Lions Club of Australia
National Finalist - Youth of the Year 2021
Women in Business Steve Awards (USA)
Innovative woman of the year -2020
United Nations New York
Speaker and presented the Documentary "Katura's Story" 2020
Women in Business Awards - Gold Coast
Empowering Young Woman of the Year Awards - 2021
Rising Star Awards - 2019Leadership Headquarters
National Student of the Year Award - 2020
International Pause Awards for Entrepreneurship
Young Blood Award 2020
Gold Coast Citizen of the Year Award
Finalist 2020 and 2022
International Gold Rule Day
Guest Speaker 2019
Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year Award - Finalist
Gold Coast City Council - Jan 2019
Gold Award
Young Australian Art Awards - Nov 2018 - National Art Award
Young Australian Art Awards - Dec 2021UN Youth
Ambassador Program 2021
UN Youth Conference 2019Ambassadorships
HOTA 2021
Mission Educate 2019
Gold Coast Mayor Student Ambassador 20207 News
Young Achiever of the year 2020
Circle Foundation of the Arts
San Diego
Winner 2020Young Australia Art Awards
Gold Winner 2019 and 2020
Young Archibald Art Prize
Finalist 2021
Secondary Schools Citizenship Award
Presented by the Order of Australia - 2022