-NGO-receives-the-Mother-Teresa-Award-for-supporting-the-education-of-Syrian-children-61882.html&is_video=&description=Jusoor+%28bridges%29+NGO+receives+the+Mother+Teresa+Award+for+supporting+the+education+of+Syrian+children)
Jusoor (bridges) NGO receives the Mother Teresa Award for supporting the education of Syrian children
Khaled Abu Ajwa, executive director of the non-profit organisation, received the award at yesterday's ceremony in Mumbai. The award recognises the children who “inspire us every day in Lebanon, across the Levant, and around the world,” he told AsiaNews. The event was an opportunity to focus on the Syrian war, which has now lasted for 13 years. Ratan Tata, the Indian tycoon who died a few weeks ago, was also awarded.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Jusoor ("bridges" in Arabic), a non-profit organisation that provides educational opportunities to Syrian refugees around the world, especially young people, received the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice yesterday in Mumbai on the theme "Humanity in Action".
The motivation for the prize by the Harmony Foundation is the NGO’s commitment “to maximise the potential of [displaced] Syrian children and youth through the power of education.”
The award was established in 2005 to keep alive the memory of the unforgettable saint who dedicated her life to the downtrodden.
This year’s award sheds light on the Syrian conflict, which is still ongoing but is often forgotten.
“It’s a great honour to accept the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice,” said Khaled Abu Ajwa, JUSOOR executive director, speaking to AsiaNews. “This recognition is not just for JUSOOR, but for the countless displaced children whose resilience and relentless determination inspire us every day in Lebanon, across the Levant, and around the world.”
As a result of the civil war, which began in 2011 with a crackdown by President Bashar al-Assad, a generation of boys and girls have known only war and who “remind us that even in the face of adversity, dreams and hope can thrive,” director Abu Ajwa added.
Since it broke out, the war in Syria has triggered a massive exodus: 7.2 million internally displaced people, plus 5 million in neighbouring countries; Lebanon alone hosts about 1.5 million.
JUSOOR operates globally with educational and entrepreneurial programmes for Syrian youth and host communities in the Middle East.
“The Syrian conflict since 2011 as well as the economic collapse in Lebanon since 2019 have meant the support JUSOOR is able to galvanize and provide is meaningful and in fact essential for the lives of thousands of young people,” reads the NGO’s website.
This is an essential commitment since many people have not yet found any form of stability. Many of those who fled to Lebanon are now experiencing a return exodus due to the instability of the country following the outbreak of hostilities with Israel.
“Let us continue to work hand in hand to ensure that every child regardless of their background and circumstances has the opportunity to learn, grow and reach their full potential for a brighter future,” the director told AsiaNews.
Created in 2005 by Dr Abraham Mathai, the Harmony Foundation is a non-governmental organisation that promotes social justice; its raison d'être is the creation and strengthening of social cohesion between various communities and working for the benefit of all without any discrimination of religion, caste, creed, gender, or region.
The Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice recognises the efforts of individuals and groups around the world to promote peace, harmony, and social justice. Previous recipients include Nobel laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai.
Among this year's notable honourees is Ratan Tata (1937-2024). The former president of the Tata Group and leading figure in Indian industries passed away last October, and was posthumously given the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice “In recognition of his extraordinary contributions as a humanitarian, beyond his role as a business leader”.
Dr Mathai explained that the decision to honour Ratan Tata posthumously is not only a tribute to his remarkable achievements, but also a reminder that his values and contributions live on.
“Ratan Tata’s legacy of compassion, ethical business practices, and philanthropy exemplifies the spirit of service, compassion, and commitment to social justice that this award represents,” reads Dr Mathai’s statement.
Ratan Tata’s many acts of altruism include the commitment to affordable cancer care in India; through the Tata Trusts, he has transformed cancer treatment, research and awareness nationwide.
“His visionary approach has set a lasting example of strategic philanthropy in healthcare, inspiring everyone to tackle critical challenges with the same compassion and dedication,” Dr Mathai noted.
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