Arigatou International, New York Office, once again matched prayer with action through our Wear My Shoes Award Campaign.
The campaign recognizes five outstanding grassroots organizations whose initiatives focus on working with and for children’s rights. Each award winner receives a microgrant of $5,000. Now in its third year, we invited the grantees of 2021/2022 to a virtual round table discussion in May of 2023, held in both English and Spanish. The event was insightful and inspiring, offering a platform for each former winner to introduce their organization’s work and missions. The winners also had the opportunity to present in detail what they accomplished with the Award money and what they envision for their organizations and communities in the future. One sentiment shared by many was that winning the Award clearly showed them that their work matters and that receiving such recognition inspired them to work even harder.
Markel R. Mendez H., UNICEF Representative for LAC, Social & Behavior Change Specialist / RCCE & Strategic Alliance.
ENGLISH SESSION
Moderator: Eleonora Mura, Arigatou International Head of Partnerships and Organizational Development, Tokyo HQ.
Keynote Speaker: Masue Suzuki, Human Rights Officer SRSV-VAC Officer
Participants: 1) MYANMAR: The Saya Foundation – Project: Learning at Home Program 2) SERBIA: Sombor Educational Center – Project: School of Good Will – Volunteers in the Service of Children 3) SIR LANKA: Child Action Lanka – Project: Child Action Lanka Shelter Home 4) BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Mozaik BiH – Project: Rights and freedom in my shoes.
SPANISH SESSION
Moderator: Maria Jose Ananias, Arigatou International GNRC Coordinator LAC.
Keynote Speaker: Markel R. Mendez H., UNICEF Representative for LAC, Social & Behavior Change Specialist / RCCE & Strategic Alliance.
Participants: 1) Ecuador: Fundación Paz Y Esperanza Y Movimiento Con La Niñez Y La Juventud De Latinoamérica – Project: Listening To The Voices Of Children And Adolescents During The Covid-19 Pandemic 2) Mexico: Organización Red Milpa – Project: Knowing And Applying Our Rights 3) Colombia: School Folioscopios Shaddai – Project: Wear My Shoes 4) Chile: Ong Red De Apoyo Solidario – Project: Artístic Project Of Social Integration.