Shabnam Rangwala from Mumbai Shortlisted for Prestigious Humanitarian Award

Introduction

Nominated for her volunteer work with disability charity MAITS, Shabnam has been helping to improve the lives of disabled people across India and Sri Lanka.

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She introduced a pioneering programme so that children with disabilities and their families can receive practical support in their own homes from trained staff.

"I am immensely grateful to be shortlisted for this award," says Shabnam. "Being acknowledged for the work we do motivates us to continue our journey. Learning from the inspiring journeys of others gives us the feeling that "We are not alone." I am honoured that my work has been recognised internationally."

Shabnam was instrumental in getting her Community Health Worker programme introduced by the Government of India in Himachal Pradesh, before it was rolled out across the whole state. She trained 35 government healthcare staff and 30 trainees from local charities, equipping them with knowledge to identify disabilities and break down taboos surrounding disability.

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MAITS CEO Esther Hamilton nominated Shabnam for the award. She says:

"Shabnam has tirelessly and selflessly volunteered with children with disabilities multiple times per year, travelling as far afield as Jamaica and Cambodia from her home in Mumbai. She is a powerful testament to how training can really change lives and improve the fortunes of some of the most marginalised children."

Shabnam is joined by two other deserving finalists in this category, with the overall winner announced at an awards ceremony in London on March 23.

Now in its seventh year, the awards celebrate the exceptional work undertaken in the development sector that often goes unrecognised. The Volunteer Award specifically honors the hidden heroes giving up their time and donating their skills, often in challenging and demanding environments.

Mike Wright, Director of Membership and Communications at Bond, says:

"The standard of entries this year has been particularly high across all award categories, which is a great reflection of the hard work and innovation currently taking place in the sector. We are particularly delighted to be honoring such a diverse range of volunteers and shining a light on these inspirational individuals and the incredible work they are doing."

The Bond International Development Awards form part of Bond Annual Conference, Europe's biggest international development event, bringing together diverse organisations and thinkers to share ideas and discuss emerging trends in the international development and humanitarian sectors.

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Bond Annual Conference and Awards

Bond is the leading UK membership body for organisations working in international development. The 450 members range from large organisations such as Oxfam, World Vision and UNICEF UK, to a wide selection of smaller local charities including Tools for Self-reliance and Medical Aid Films.

The Bond Annual Conference and Awards is the biggest international development event in Europe, attracting over a thousand diverse people from across the international development and humanitarian sectors. NGOs, civil society leaders, researchers, funders, government and private sector come together to share ideas and interrogate emerging trends.

Bond Annual Conference is proudly sponsored by Al-Khair Foundation and INTL FCStone. Bond is the leading UK membership body for organisations working in international development. The 450 members range from large organisations such as Oxfam, World Vision and Unicef, to a wide selection of smaller local charities including Tools for Self-reliance and Medical Aid Films.

The conference will take place on 23-24 March 2019 at the QEII Centre in London.

Full details are available at www.bond.org.uk/conference

Full details on all finalists can be found here: www.bond.org.uk/events/volunteer-award/longlist-2020

UPDATE: 23rd March 2020

Shabnam Rangwala from Mumbai has scooped top honours at this year's Bond International Development Awards.

Bond is the leading UK body for organisations working in international development. The 450 members range from large organisations such as Oxfam, World Vision and UNICEF UK, to a wide selection of smaller local charities including Tools for Self-reliance and Medical Aid Films.

Shabnam, 54, a mother of two from Khar West, North Mumbai was shortlisted for her work with disability charity MAITS. She beat stiff competition from around the world to be crowned Bond International Awards Volunteer 2020, which shines a light on exceptional people who have made an outstanding contribution to the world.

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Due to COVID19 and travel restrictions, the annual award ceremony in London was cancelled this year, so Khadija will receive her prestigious winner trophy by post. She was presented with her 'temporary' award by Mr Ojas Bavishi, a beneficiary of her service as a paediatric therapist.

She says:

"Being declared as the winner of the Bond International Awards Volunteer 2020, is an immense privilege. Being selected from a group of nominees who have done such pioneering work in their respective areas and countries makes me feel very humble and grateful."

"After having worked in the disability sector for over 33 years, I felt the need to expand my own journey in the social sector under my banner; Project Noor. This recognition will definitely make an impact in my journey and help me to reach more children and families of children with disability and bring them into the realm of inclusion."

"My journey with MAITS since 2016 has also contributed to increasing the scope of my work along with adding an element of innovation to help look at sustainable models to promote inclusion in low resourced settings. I am so grateful to MAITS and to Bond for this honour. I dedicate this award to all the families who work tirelessly to promote the Rights of their children with special needs."

Mike Wright, Director of Communications, Membership and Training at Bond, says:

"Each year we are delighted and humbled by the winner in this category. It is a great reflection of the hard work that goes on, often behind the scenes, by so many dedicated volunteers like Shabnam. It is a genuine pleasure to be honoring them and their fellow volunteers by shining a light on the inspirational people doing incredible work in development."

The award judging panel added:

"Shabnam Rangwala has won for her dedication to a very important issue - working to improve the lives of people living with disabilities in the Global South. The reach of her work has been huge."

Now in its seventh year, the awards celebrate the exceptional work undertaken in the development sector that often goes unrecognised. The Volunteer Award specifically honors the hidden heroes giving up their time and donating their skills, often in challenging and demanding environments.

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