Syrian children, the “Mother Teresa Award” goes to the NGO Jusoor for supporting their education

MUMBAI (AsiaNews) – Jusoor (which in Arabic means “bridges”) is an organization no-profit which works to provide educational opportunities to Syrian refugee people around the world, especially young people, received the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice you have her “Humanity in Action”. A recognition of the commitment of the NGO which aims to “maximize the potential of Syrian children and young people affected by war and displacement through education and social promotion”, as explained in the motivation Harmony Foundationwho established the recognition in 2005, naming it after the unforgettable saint of the last. This is a choice that also sheds light on the Syrian conflict, which remains thirteen years from now but is often forgotten.

Girls and boys who have only known war. “It is a great honor to accept this award – said Khaled Abu Ajwa, executive director of Jusoor – a recognition that is not just for Jusoorbut for the countless displaced children whose resilience and determination inspire us every day in Lebanon, the Middle East, and around the world.” The effects of the civil war, which began in 2011 with the repression of President Bashar al-Assad, have meant that a generation of boys and girls now only know the war.

The exodus of Syrians: 7.2 million displaced. As is known, the war in Syria has given rise to a massive exodus: 7.2 million internally displaced people and 5 million in neighboring countries, such as Lebanon, where there are around 1.5 million. Jusoor operates globally with educational and entrepreneurial programs for young Syrians and Middle Eastern host communities. “The Syrian conflict since 2011 and Lebanon’s economic collapse since 2019 have meant that the support Jusoor is able to mobilize and provide both significant and in fact essential for the lives of thousands of young people”, communicates the same NGO on its channels. An essential commitment given that many of the people have not yet achieved any form of stability: many of those who fled to Lebanon are now living in return exodus due to the instability of the country due to the conflict with Israel.

Other winners. Among this year’s notable awardees there is also Ratan Tata, former president of the Tata Group, leading figure of Indian industries, was posthumously awarded the prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2024. The award was given “in recognition of his extraordinary humanitarian contributions, beyond his role as a business leader,” said the Harmony Foundation.

* Nirmala Carvalho – Asianews