The Phan Foundation is today opening nominations for the 2015 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award. This award is given annually to outstanding young Karen leaders who work for the development of their community. If you know a young Karen person whose hard work and commitment deserves recognition, please do nominate them.
An award of $2000 will be given to the organisation or community for whom the recipient of the award works. The winner of the award will be announced in early 2016.
How to nominate someone
· Any Karen person under 35 is eligible to be nominated.
· That person can be living anywhere in the world.
· Nominations can be made by any individual or organisation.
· Organisations can nominate one of their own members.
· Nominations close on 31st January 2016.
· Nominations should be sent to Nant Bwa Bwa Phan, bwabwa.phan@phanfoundation.org
“Our father Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan started to get involved in community work as a student activist when he was a teenager. He had a dream to see peace and freedom for his people. Through this award, we hope that the dream of our father will live on,” said Saw Say Say Phan, Director of the Phan Foundation and eldest son of Padoh Mahn Sha.
The past winners of this award are from different social backgrounds. They are health workers, activists, relief workers and environmentalists. The first award went to Naw Paw K’Bla Htoo from Kler Lwee Htu, the second award went to Saw Nyunt Win from Mutraw District in Karen State, the third award went to Naw December Paw from Tenasserim Division, the fourth award went to Saw Htoo Htoo Eh, from the Free Burma Rangers, the fifth award went to Nant Thandar Aung from Karen Women Empowerment Group, the sixth award went to Naw K’Nyaw Paw from the Karen Women’s Organisation, and the seventh award went to Naw Hsa Moo from Karen Students Network Group and Karen Environmental Social Action Network.
“Our father would be proud to see these remarkable young leaders who work so hard for the development of our people, the same way he did when he was a live,” said Slone Phan, Director of the Phan Foundation and the youngest son of Padoh Mahn Sha.
The Phan Foundation was set up by the children of Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan and Nant Kyin Shwe with the aims to alleviate poverty, promote education and human rights, and preserve Karen culture. Padoh Mahn Sha, the former General Secretary of the Karen National Union, was assassinated by agents of the Burmese government on 14th February 2008.
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