Mike Izava Olendo, programme coordinator, WWF Kenya
Vast amounts of plastic clog the seas and beaches of Lamu. With support from Mike and his team, who work all hours of the day and night in some of the most remote and risky parts of Kenya, a women’s enterprise has been established to collect the plastic and turn it into trinkets, crafts and art pieces to sell. Mike and his team also support several microfinance village savings and loans associations (VSLAs), enabling people in the community to access financial credit by pooling their resources. I met Mike when he was training young people in monitoring marine turtle nesting. One young man told me he wanted to grow up to be like Mike – a sentiment I heard repeated by young people across the community. Nominated by Alexis Barnett
Edith Kagoya, programme manager, Sightsavers
Edith oversees Sightsavers’ Connecting the Dots project, which trains young Ugandans with disabilities and places them in internships and jobs. “It’s so much more than a job for her. Edith doesn’t just ensure their practical wellbeing or ability to earn a living; she works to build up the confidence that so many other people have knocked out of them,” says Kate McCoy, who nominated her.
Most inspiring, dedicated person I've ever met. Edith empowers youth w/ disabilities https://t.co/h6miHbPIfL. She's a @GuardianGDP #NGOhero
— Kate McCoy (@K8McCoy) December 20, 2016
Edith works tirelessly to ensure they know their potential, stresses that they have as much to offer as anyone else, and empowers them to stand up – not just for themselves but for all people with disabilities.
Mario Raimondi, founder, El Desafío Foundation
After the 2001 economic crisis left 50% of the Argentinean population living in poverty, Mario started a social movement to kick poverty’s ass. He created the El Desafío Foundation and developed a theory of change focusing on two areas: youth development and stimulating civic participation. He created an urban innovation lab for actions in public space, including free, public mini libraries in the city, urban art and a Happy Cities Festival. He took personal risks to do this; taking a second mortgage on his home and quitting a comfortable job at Nike. “Mario has inspired thousands, changed the lives of hundreds of children and given hope to people in a country that is desperately looking for honest leaders,” says Jorn Wemmenhove, who nominated him. “He is a true changemaker and gamechanger. His innovative ideas are making a revolution on how social work should be done and how to approach real solutions to poverty.”
Alin Hilowle, founder, Isha Human Rights Group
Alin has worked tirelessly to promote the human rights of his community in south central Somalia for more than two decades. He founded Isha Human Rights Group in Baidoa in 1999, where warlords were committing serious human rights violations against local clans.
In 2009, when al-Shabaab took control of areas where Isha Human Rights Group operated, the group continued to be a vocal and visible figure in the community. Hilowle was arrested and tortured by al-Shabaab, but managed to escape the country with the help of other human rights defenders in his community. He now lives in exile in Sweden but still continues to support and defend his community. Nominated by Linnea Gelot
Bassam Hawas Quru, community health worker, International Medical Corps
Bassam Hawas Quru was one of many Yazidis forced to flee their homeland before the Islamic State-led genocide in Iraq in 2014. Finding himself in a refugee camp, Quru decided to use his experiences to help others. He joined the International Medical Corps as a community health worker and helped thousands gain access to medical supplies, despite considerable personal risk.
“In the remotest areas, where children have no access to vital vaccinations, Bassam organises trips to local towns where they are available,” says Larissa Schneider who nominated him. “He has worked in Kapartu camp, supporting a 28,000-strong population, leading health promotion services and working to address psychological scars from the conflict. Not only have disease outbreaks decreased, but health and hygiene practices among residents have leapt forward meaning that many more can avoid succumbing to common diseases.”
Ruth Shrestha, counsellor, The Leprosy Mission
In the past year, Ruth has provided counselling to hundreds of people who have passed through the hospitalAnandaban Hospital in Nepal. This includes people who have experienced anxiety and depression due to being excluded or discriminated against because of leprosy; some have even been disowned by their families. “Ruth is a humble lady with a huge heart and has spent her life supporting the mental health of those most in need,” says GuardianWitness user SianTLM, who nominated her. “Many have said that Ruth’s care and compassion has helped to rebuild their sense of dignity and self-esteem.”
Robert Tamuzade, project coordinator, Send a Cow
Robert travels many miles every day, crossing rough terrain to support the newest generation of HIV/Aids orphans in Uganda. He visits families to offer them emotional support and teach them about basic sanitation and hygiene, farming and household management – life skills they haven’t been able to learn from their parents.
“Young people look to Robert for guidance and they often come to see him as part of the family. Many of them call him ‘uncle’,” says Azita Shamsolahi, who nominated Tamuzade.
Noelene Nabulivou, founder, Diverse Voices and Action for Equality
Noelene Nabulivou wears many hats. She advocates for action on climate change, sustainable development, and gender equality – and she has an amazing ability to link all the work she does. She founded the Diverse Voices and Action for Equality, which has emerged from a grassroots collection of advocates to a respected and well-regarded NGO. The organisation focuses on climate justice, violence against women, human rights and LGBTQI rights – creating a space in a devout country where young people can express themselves and their sexuality. Noelene represents her community, specifically women, to ensure that the voices of the Pacific are heard locally and globally. Nominated by Marita Manley
Hongthong Sirivath, programme director, Village Focus International
Laos is one of the least free countries in the world and as space for civil society is constrained, working within the sector can be extremely dangerous. Despite the risks, Hongthong Sirivath works to educate local people on their land and legal rights.
“In the face of such repression and challenges, Hongthong always impresses me with his optimism and energy,” says Justine Sylvester. “Since he was a teenager, he has worked to improve the lives of rural people in Laos. He is an expert in so many areas and he inspires everyone to stay positive and keep focused when things are tough. Hongthong is one of the busiest people I’ve ever met, yet he always has an aura of calm, a ready smile and a kind word.”
Mauricio Paredes, region III vice president, Honduran Red Cross
As a first responder and mentor, Mauricio plays an instrumental role at the Honduran Red Cross, but his unwavering dedication to migrant human rights has made a major impact within his community.
“Mauricio was part of the initial efforts to address the humanitarian needs of migrants being deported from Mexico back to Honduras,” says Kari Williams, who nominated Mauricio. “For more than three years, he led the migrant reception centre in Corinto, a town along the Honduras-Guatemala border, with a dedicated team of volunteers and limited resources. His leadership, advocacy, and dedication helped to lead the way for a new Honduran Migrant Reception Centre, which continues to provide much needed services to Hondurans being deported back from Mexico daily.”
Máxima Acuña, human rights defender
Máxima Acuña has become one of the leading voices in Peru’s anti-mining movement: speaking for the thousands of Peruvians affected by projects destroying their land and water supplies. Máxima has bravely stood her ground against the second biggest gold mining company in the world, Newmont, which sought to drain the pristine Lake Azul (near her 18-acre farm) and turn it into a waste pit for mine by-products. The lake is one of the only freshwater sources for the local community, and Máxima often risks her own wellbeing while standing up for the right to live on her own land. Nominated by GoldmanPrize via GuardianWitness
Grace Makonyola, Malawi regional director, Maternity Worldwide
Our #NGOhero is Grace, our Malawi Country Director, who has worked tirelessly over the years to ensure women can give birth safely in Malawi pic.twitter.com/9QgEB4le3Z
— Maternity Worldwide (@maternityww) December 19, 2016
Grace Makonyola was a dedicated volunteer for years before becoming Maternity Worldwide’s Malawi regional director. Working with a small local team, Grace has established women’s groups in 80 villages to provide maternal and newborn healthcare information. She has facilitated income generation programmes to empower women to become financially-independent, and trained skilled birth attendants to safely deliver babies. Nominated by Kirsty Erridge
Fatik al-Rodaini and Riaz Karim, founders, Mona Relief Organisation
When international aid failed to provide countless Yemenis with their basic need, two friends decided to take action. Fatik Abdullah al-Rodaini, a Yemeni journalist in Sana’a, and Riaz Karim, a humanitarian in London, founded the Mona Relief Organisation, a grassroots charity for humanitarian relief and development aid. The Mona Relief Organisation is committed to offering critical aid to the poorest and and most vulnerable people in Yemen, and since its conception, has fed more than 7 million people in the country. Nominated by Alkarim Haji via GuardianWitness
Esther Nyambu, emergency reproductive health coordinator, International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Esther Nyambu works to give women and girls in Niger, Burundi and Nigeria access to lifesaving health services. She recently spearheaded the IRC’s reproductive health response, enabling more than 20,000 women to access reproductive health services in Borno State, Nigeria. Esther also helped to open the only health care facility in Bakassi IDP camp, focusing on women who were pregnant or had experienced complications due to mismanaged deliveries.
“Esther has tirelessly served, sacrificed and spoken out on behalf of the needs of women and families affected by crisis,” says Rita Nehme, policy and practice officer at IRC. “She has demonstrated extraordinary courage, working in some of the world’s most difficult environments. Her career is a reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure reproductive health services are available in crises, and of the immense potential and impact we stand to make when we live up to it.” Nominated by Rita Nehme
Afroz Shah, founder, Versova Resident Volunteers
Driven by the piles of refuse washing ashore Versova beach each day, lawyer Afroz Shah founded Versova Resident Volunteers, the biggest beach clean-up initiative in the world. Since its conception in October 2015, the group has been recognised by United Nations Environment Programme’s executive director, Erik Solheim, who visited the site on the first anniversary of the clean up.
“On any given weekend, between 20 and 40 volunteers scavenge for garbage, joined by around eight municipality workers,” says GuardianWitness user cruisechelsea who nominated Afroz. “Together they pick up, on average, three tonnes of garbage in two hours each Saturday and Sunday. During the week, the unforgiving tide brings more.”
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