About Me
I’m Genevieve Onuchukwu (née Radnan), but people call me Genna, as in Genna-rosity Abroad.
Born and raised in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia, I am one of four sisters who have been lucky enough to attend private schools. In my final year of high school I was appointed as a school prefect and was later recognised with an award for my contribution to the school community.
I’ve always had a passion for helping children and this combined with my interest in Africa influenced me to create Gennarosity Abroad.
My interest in Africa began at the age of 11, when I noticed the World Vision and Oxfam advertisements asking for donations to help sponsor communities, families, and children in impoverished nations. The images of starving children living in harsh and poverty stricken conditions was in stark contrast to the life I was leading in Sydney. The obvious disparity between my world and theirs drove me to dedicate a part of my life to promoting change and helping others. My high school tutor and Legal Studies teacher, David Whitcombe, encouraged me to volunteer in Africa after his own volunteering experiences in Namibia.
Immediately after completing high school, I travelled to Kenya to volunteer and the seeds for Gennarosity Abroad were sown. Alongside the development of my charity, I graduated from the Australian Catholic University with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2013 and from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Aid and Development and Sustainable Development in 2019.
I believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.
Passion
I’ve always had a passion for helping children and this combined with my interest in Africa influenced me to create Gennarosity Abroad.
Awards
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Humanitarian Award, Celebration of African Australians Inc 2019
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Local Hero, Courage to Care NSW 2018
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Humanitarian Award, Celebration of African Australians Inc 2017
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Humanitarian Award, Celebration of African Australians Inc 2015
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Finalist in the Women of the Future Competition, Australian Women’s Weekly Magazine and Qantas 2015
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CALI Award (Community Action Leadership Inspiration) 2015
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Stand Up’s Ron Castan Young Humanitarian Award 2014
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School of Nursing Midwifery & Paramedicine (NSW) Special Achievement Award, Australian Catholic University 2014
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Top 10 finalist in Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World, Singapore National Committee for UN Women and MasterCard 2011 (youngest finalist at age 19)
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Mensch of the Year Award, Emanuel School 2009