His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, alongside His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Humanitarian Envoy for The Big Heart Foundation, as well as Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council and UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children, conferred the 9th Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support (SIARA) upon Konexio Africa on the morning of Wednesday.
Konexio Africa's achievement of the AED 500,000 prize will significantly enhance its operational capacity and extend its impact within underserved communities. This recognition underscores the organization's commitment to developing a humanitarian work experience grounded in education for employment, with the objective of empowering refugees to escape the cycle of poverty in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda.
The awards ceremony, conducted at the Sharjah Book Authority headquarters, commenced with the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates. Attendees, including His Highness, were subsequently presented with a film that illustrated the significance of the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support. The film detailed the profound implications of the award for its beneficiaries, as well as the global humanitarian initiatives aimed at providing innovative solutions and enabling refugees to achieve self-sufficiency.
Alya Al Musaiebi, the Director of The Big Heart Foundation, emphasized that every individual possesses a narrative worthy of expression. However, the primary challenge lies in actively listening to these narratives and adequately responding to them. She noted that the experiences of refugees represent a critical examination of fundamental human values, ethics, and cultural principles, as well as the ideals of cooperation, solidarity, and human rights that underpin civilization.
Khaled Al Huraimel, the Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of BEEAH Group, delivered a speech in which he emphasized that the award has evolved into a global symbol for recognizing genuine humanitarian efforts. It serves to honor all individuals who have committed their time and efforts to assisting refugees and those in need worldwide.
The ceremony addressed the composition of the selection committee for the 2025 Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support. The committee reviewed 790 nominations submitted by diverse charitable institutions and organizations from across the globe, each of which underwent a meticulous evaluation process based on specific criteria. These criteria focused on the scale and sustainability of the humanitarian impact of the nominated initiatives, their contributions to enhancing the lives of refugees and displaced individuals worldwide, as well as their adherence to humanitarian principles and transparency.
The event featured a promotional film showcasing the impactful work of the award-winning organization, Konexio Africa. Since its inception in 2019, Konexio Africa has pioneered a model that transforms digital education into a viable pathway for enabling refugees to construct futures grounded in knowledge, employment, and productivity. Furthermore, the organization has effectively bridged the digital divide and converted technical skills into sustainable livelihood opportunities, emerging as a prominent example that harmonizes technological advancement with humanitarian efforts.
In his address, Fabien de Castilla, Director of Konexio Africa, underscored that the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support represents not only an honor for Konexio but also for the myriad individuals—over a thousand—that have been trained and empowered in refugee camps and host communities throughout Africa.
His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah presided over a dialogue session featuring Seth Mathias Sunya, Director of Development at Konexio Africa, and Fidelis Mutuku Mutenda, Director of Operations at Konexio Africa. Both speakers shared insights regarding their experiences, achievements, and aspirations related to their pioneering humanitarian initiative.
During the session, His Highness was presented with the exclusive screening of the promotional trailer for the Big Heart Foundation’s second documentary film, entitled “Don’t Rename Us.” This film, produced with the support of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and Sharjah Media City (Shams), chronicles the journey of the “Tumaini Letu” organization, SIARA winner in 2020. The documentary highlights the influence of humanitarian initiatives, supported by the award, in fostering change and instilling hope in the lives of refugees globally.
Konexio Africa was distinguished among 790 global nominations for its sustainable methodology and positive impacts on enabling refugees to attain self-reliance through practical digital training programs that link education with income-generating opportunities. The organization has effectively trained over 8,000 refugees and vulnerable individuals across Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda, offering them viable employment prospects in the digital economy. This initiative has resulted in a significant increase in the average monthly income from one dollar to approximately $200, with employment rates escalating to 90%.