Ockenden International has launched its ninth annual quest to find and reward the most effective self-reliance projects for refugees and/or displaced people.
‘Every Child Deserves a Future' nominated by Compass Children’s Charity, UK, was awarded its prize for a strong, well-organised project providing refugee and internally displaced children with a safe haven.
FORGE for humanity's 'Unlocking Potential' project won for its unique focus on support for single male refugees. The judges said FORGE is successfully challenging stereotypes while providing a support network to facilitate stability, integration and autonomy.
The eponymously-named project won for improving access to essential services for vulnerable, displaced communities on the Thai-Myanmar border and in eastern Myanmar, where conflict-affected communities gained access to quality healthcare and education.
'Muhra, a Social Enterprise for Refugee Women' won for its self-sufficiency and commercial success. 'Muhra' is a local handcraft brand that the judges agreed, though small scale, is an intense enterprise, working as well for the individual craftswomen involved as for the whole venture.
Second son Quan recounts the Truong family’s 1979 South China Sea rescue from a sinking Vietnamese fishing vessel.
The brothers and their family arrived in the UK in late 1979 and were put in the care of the Ockenden Venture. The family grew to eight when two more sons were born in 1980 and 1984.
It is sometimes difficult to identify the effect of Ockenden’s work. So when the six brothers spoke movingly in London’s Union Chapel recently about their survival and subsequent adventure, it was a rare glimpse into the long-term benefits they have enjoyed. Read the full story . . .
Mission
Prizes given
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