Xarja pays tribute to Tumaini Letu, Malawi’s cultural initiatives for refugee empowerment
SHARJA EAU, August 20, 2020 / PRNewswire / – Tumaini Letu , a nonprofit organization based in the Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi , Africa, won the Sharjah International Shark Defense and Support International Prize (Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support – SIARA), in its fourth edition. The award is given annually by The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), an international humanitarian organization based in the United Arab Emirates that is dedicated to helping refugees and people in need around the world, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR).
Photo from Tumaini Letu festival
The prestigious award, which consists of $ 136,000 and a trophy, recognizes the efforts of Tumaini Letu founder , refugee artist and poet Trésor Nzengu Mpauni, in organizing the annual Tumaini Festival, an art and culture event that attracted 99,000 participants and brought together 304 groups of artists from 18 different countries over the past six years and generated about $ 150,000 a year. Through its artistic workshops and cultural festivals, the organization promotes peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding and intercultural harmony between refugees and host communities, as well as creating jobs and profitable economic opportunities for vulnerable groups in the countryside of Malawi .
Upon receiving the award at a virtual ceremony, Nzengu commented: “I am receiving this award at a time when humanity and solidarity are more necessary than ever”.
The SIARA award was instituted in 2017 with the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi , member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and governor of Xarja, and his wife, His Highness Sheikh Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi , president of TBHF and Eminent Defender of Refugee Children at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who continue to promote the philanthropic efforts of individuals and organizations around the world.
Trésor thanked the governor of Xarja and his wife, His Highness Sheikh Jawaher, and TBHF for their outstanding initiatives in defense of refugees, and added: “The SIARA award is a motivation for the entire Malawian refugee community , especially for the young people who have big dreams and so much potential. It is a seed of growth that will strengthen our team and that will inspire us to transform the lives of refugees and bring benefits to our host country. ”
SOURCE National Network Communications
Related Links
SOURCE National Network Communications