|
Rose Mapendo Honored by the United Nations for Work with Refugees
15/07/2009
 Rose Mapendo, a Congolese Tutsi refugee who was the subject of the film Rose & Nangabire, received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the United Nations’ Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The award ceremony event included presentations by Angelina Jolie and Ann Curry from NBC’s Today. The event featured a clip from the film showcasing Mapendo’s international work. Mapendo gave an emotional and effective speech about the plight of refugees and the importance of maintaining world focus on the issues, illustrated by her personal story.
 Since nine years ago when she took a rescue flight to resettle in the United States, she has put all her efforts to help thousands of other refugees. She is currently working through Mapendo International a Boston-based group, works to identify and provide aid to refugees from war-torn societies, particularly in east and central Africa. The organization has a health clinic in Nairobi, which treats refugees with HIV/AIDS and other severe health conditions, and the group also works with the United Nations and other refugee assistance groups to identify practical solutions for ethnic groups in need of help.
Mapendo plays a critical role in the organization, serving as a diplomatic ambassador. She has given speeches to groups all over the world, including at the White House, to promote awareness of the critical situations refugees are facing in Africa.
Although Mapendo endured constant suffering before arriving in the United States, she is positive about her experiences, and believes that they have helped lead her to her new path – to help and give hope to other refugees around the world.
You can also help aid other refugees in need of assistance by making a donation to Mapendo International. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.mapendo.org/ |
|