Dignity for Children Foundation wins Sharjah award for Outstanding Work in Refugee Education

26 April 2018 - Malaysian foundation ‘Dignity for Children’ has won the 2nd Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support.

The Dignity for Children Foundation (DCF) was selected for its performance as a leading humanitarian institution in Asia, providing support and advocacy services to refugees and the displaced.

The award was also given to them in recognition for their role and commitment towards thousands of refugee families in Sentul, Malaysia, by providing a safe environment for their children’s education. It recognises DCF’s achievements over the past two decades in caring and supporting refugees.

DCF received a prize of USD136,000 to support its humanitarian efforts, and was officially honoured in a ceremony in Sharjah on 26 April 2018.

“Education is the building block of any child’s future. Without it, children cannot have a horizon of hope and aspiration. In particular for refugee children who have lost so much in their journey to find asylum, education provides an opportunity to regain a semblance of normalcy in their lives and regain hope for their future,” said Richard Towle, UNHCR Representative in Malaysia.

“UNHCR congratulates our partner, the Dignity for Children Foundation (DCF), on receiving this Award. We see every day in DCF’s work with refugees and marginalised communities in Malaysia, their excellent humanitarian commitment.

For nearly two decades now, DCF has worked at an exemplary level to not only bring education to refugee children who have no access to formal education in the country, but to also incorporate practical, vocational training programmes to help prepare children for a world beyond their classrooms.”

The award, organised by The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) — the Sharjah-based global humanitarian charity dedicated to helping refugees and people in need worldwide — in cooperation with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offered to the most outstanding contribution made during the year in developing and implementing a pioneering initiative or project that has had a positive and tangible impact on refugees within Asia and the Mena region.

“We believe that philanthropic efforts need inspiring role models who can provide examples of how important humanitarian work can be,” said Shaikha Jawaher, who is also the Chairperson of TBHF and UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children.

“The award recognises these role models and highlights their efforts and their selflessness while making a significant difference to the lives of refugees and the displaced. Whatever the size of your contribution, it is the value that matters, and the effect it creates to encourage others to follow in their footsteps,” she said.

The award was launched last year by Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, and comes in line with Sharjah’s efforts to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons around the world.

Press Contacts

For Dignity For Children Foundation

Renee Koo

Mobile: 017 378 7579 Email: [email protected]

Liew Tong Ngan

Mobile: 012 299 3033 Email: [email protected]

For UNHCR

Yante Ismail, Associate External Relations Officer

Mobile: 013 352 6286 Email: [email protected]