A Presentation by Ms. Noraida Abdullah Karim, 2007 Voice of Courage Awardee
Press Release
Contact: Paul Tanedo (CFSI) 703 915 4556;
Philippine Embassy 202 467-9399
Dr. Kathryn Wellen (ADFS) 202 707-8910
Filipina Named 2007 “Voice of Courage” Awardee
On Tuesday, May 15, 2007, Ms. Noraida Abdullah Karim, a noted Filipino social worker and the 2007 “Voice of Courage” Awardee will speak at the Library of Congress, Mumford Room (6th Floor, Madison Building) at 6:30pm. The event is co-hosted by the Asian Division Friends Society (ADFS), The Philippine Embassy, and the Community and Family Services International (CFSI). Paul and Susan Tanedo are the coordinating sponsors of Abdullah-Karim’s visit to the Washington D.C. area. The event is free and open to the public.
The “Voices of Courage” Award is presented annually by the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children to individuals or organizations from around the world that have shown commitment and leadership in promoting the well-being of displaced women, children and youth. Established in 1989, the Women’s Commission is affiliated with and is legally part of the International Rescue Committee.
Noraida Abdullah-Karim, a Maguindanaoan, is the Officer-in-Charge of Community and Family Services International (CFSI) operations in Mindanao, Philippines and, concurrently, Coordinator of the Food Assistance Project. She subsequently played a leading role in the Literacy, Livelihood, and Food Sufficiency Project for women and male youth that CFSI field-tested for the World Bank. The project is now being implemented in conflict-affected communities in Maguindanao in partnership with the World Food Programme. She was born in Cotabato City and spent most of her formative years in Datu Piang in Maguindanao, Mindanao, Philippines. Her childhood and youth were marked by poverty, repeated displacement due to armed conflict in Mindanao, and a determined desire to survive. Karim spent years assisting other displaced Muslims in Metro Manila, organizing to meet basic needs, and advocating for peace negotiations in Mindanao.
The Peace Agreement of 1996 set the stage for her return to Mindanao. She became involved with local civil society organizations concerned with human rights; advocated for the relief of displaced persons, and initiated livelihood projects for poor women. She returned to school in her native Cotabato City and obtained a Social Work degree at De La Vida College in 1999.
CFSI activity in Mindanao commenced with the displacement of almost a million people in the aftermath of the war in 2000. In March 2001, Abdullah-Karim joined CFSI as Community Organizing Officer, helping large numbers of internally displaced persons to return to their hometown communities. She was a tireless worker in the “Arms are for Hugging” Project which helped ensure that more than 600 formerly out-of-school children and youth would have access to primary education in their own community in the towns of Inug-ug, Pagalungan, and in the Maguindanao region.
Based in the Philippines, CFSI (now on its 25th year) has worked closely with the international community as well as national and local authorities responsible for uprooted persons in many of the countries of the Asia and Pacific Region, especially South East Asia. In addition, CFSI has carried out special training programs in various parts of the world for humanitarian workers.