SIARA 2021 Awarded To The Kenyan Community RefuSHE

Sharjah has always made a significant mark in the world for its roles and commitments to providing better lives for those in need. In the recent event organized by the Sharjah-based global humanitarian organization The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), the Dh500,000 SIARA 2021 prize was awarded to RefuSHE, a Nairobi-based humanitarian agency founded in 2008. 

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RefuSHE’s mission has been to uplift the lives of young women aged 13-21 in the greater lakes’ region of East Africa. The prime focus to build a future for orphaned or separated refugee girls through education and empowerment. The award provides support and throws a spotlight for the organization on global level notice.

Focusing on helping people who are in dire need and thus creating a better world through love and support was the message conveyed by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah at the event. Adding to it Sheikh Sultan opined on the noble virtues of humanitarian organizations in opening a door to those in need and providing a helping hand in shaping the values of society.

The event was organized through a virtual platform due to the prevailing conditions. As it took place on the mark of World Refugee Day it witnessed the participation of Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of TBHF, and senior officials.

In the wake of the pandemic, the situations have taken a greater toil of adversities and hardships especially affecting children, girls, and women to a large extent. During such difficult times, the humanitarian works by non-profit organizations like RefuSHE are hope and relief for a large segment of society.  Considering the crucial need of the situation SIARA selection committee has considered this while selecting the organization.

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The Big Heart Foundation Director, Mariam Al Hammadi, remarked the selection process for TBHF becomes a tough choice as years pass by. Over hundreds of entries are received every year from remarkable organizations. This year over 213 nominations were received. In congratulating the award winner, she also added that humanitarian actions are not just a medium of support for people but it helps to bring out the capabilities to explore and grow out from the challenges in life.  

Apart from the main award, SIARA granted for the first time another Dh1.1 million prize divided equally to the three entities short-listed for the award. A collaborative initiative of TBHF and UAE-based women’s empowerment entity Nama Women Advancement Establishment (Nama) created the special prize

Three exceptional organizations supporting the welfare of women and children received the TBHF- Nama grant. RefuSHE from Kenya; International Network for Aid Relief and Assistance (INARA), works for providing life-saving medicines and betterment of children who are affected by war especially in Lebanon and Turkey; The Lotus Flower from Kurdistan, Iraq, non-profit organization working for the empowerment of vulnerable women and girls to be financially independent and make a change in their life through the incorporation of various innovative projects.

The selection process for the SIARA 2021 comprised of TBHF and UNHCR representatives; Professor Kevin Mitchel, Chancellor of the American University of Sharjah; and Petrina Shee, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Dignity for Children Foundation, a past winner of SIARA.