Project Rise, the philanthropic arm of the Dawoodi Bohra community, today announced the winners of the 2nd Edition of its ‘Project Rise Impact Awards’. The award recognises and celebrates the outstanding contributions of Dawoodi Bohra volunteers across the world toward social welfare.

Staying true to Project Rise’s philosophy of ‘Striving to Uplift’, these volunteers have risen to the occasion, going above and beyond to help the less fortunate members of society. Initiatives include providing better food and nutrition, water security, environment protection, improving health and hygiene, and promoting education for all.

Recognising the winners for their outstanding achievements, Yusuf Mukarram, Global Coordinator for Project Rise said, "The winners of the Project Rise Impact Awards have not only made significant strides in creating a better society for all but have also inspired others to take action. We applaud their commitment, dedication and leadership."

The winners of the Project Rise Impact Award 2022 were selected by a panel of judges based on three categories:

• Innovation – Recognising efforts of volunteers who have successfully promoted a cause or taken action by adopting a unique approach.

• Sustainability – Honouring transformational initiatives that have created a sustained and lasting impact over time.

• Engagement – Recognising campaigns that have generated important partnerships with like-minded individuals and organisations to build awareness at all societal levels (national, provincial, state, city, or town).

This year, a special recognition jury award is also introduced to acknowledge volunteers who have stepped up during times of national crisis.

Each winner will receive a trophy and a memento to honour their accomplishment.

USA

Winner: Chicago

Category - Sustainability

The Chicago Project Rise team had an exceptionally fruitful 2022, undertaking over 20 social welfare projects to help improve the living standards of vulnerable people in their city. In addition to making regular financial donations to local nonprofits that provide shelter, food, and family services, the volunteers held frequent food and warm clothing drives for unhoused people and donated school supplies to underserved students. Their most interesting - and rewarding - project was supporting Habitat for Humanity by helping refurbish and landscape social housing.

Runner up: Washington, D.C.

Category - Innovation

Protecting and enhancing the natural environment and its ecosystems have been the key focus area for the Washington DC community. Involving children to plan, build and install bird feeders in their backyards has been an innovative concept undertaken by the volunteers to bring back and increase the population of a variety of chirping birds in the neighbourhood. All these programs executed by our Washington DC volunteers have been in collaboration and with the assistance of local authorities and government organisations.

CANADA

Winner: Edmonton

Category - Sustainability

The Edmonton Project Rise volunteers regularly team up with local nonprofits that support vulnerable members of society. For World Food Day, a team of volunteers raised funds to donate 156 bags of rice to Wings of Providence Women’s Shelter and the Islamic Family and Social Services Association. 

UK

Winner: Manchester

Category - Sustainability

From initiating a fundraiser for earthquake victims to undertaking food drives for a local food bank, Project Rise volunteers in Manchester are actively contributing to local causes. The highlight of 2022 has been their sustained monthly trash collection drives with the support of the Manchester City Council.

THE MIDDLE EAST

Winner: Dubai

Category - Sustainability

Initiated the award-winning e-waste collection and recycling movement in the UAE, encouraging the community in Dubai – and other Emirates, including Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, & Ajman – to lead a sustainable and zero-waste lifestyle. These e-waste recycling drives are conducted regularly as a sustained approach.

East Africa

Winner: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Category: Engagement

Action and engagement have been the buzz-words among the Project Rise volunteers of Dar es Salam throughout 2022. The community has made a valiant effort in reaching out to different sections of society through a variety of initiatives including beach cleanups, tree plantations and the distribution of food & medical supplies to the deserving sections and those afflicted with Cancer respectively. These initiatives have helped them build a relationship based on trust and respect with NGOs which they hope to continue building and using to bring about a meaningful impact in society.

India (Tier I)

Winners: Nashik

Category: Innovation

Volunteers in Nashik have consistently performed under the banner of Project Rise and displayed innovative approaches in their undertakings. Whether it be the effort to raise awareness about single-use plastic by crafting a giant kite to soar the message or going to a remote open location to plant seed bombs at the advent of the monsoon season - the Nashik team has persistently performed in a timely manner.

Runner Up: Ahmedabad

Category: Engagement

The Ahmedabad team has set a prime example of how motivation and teamwork yield great results. From distributing cooked meals and organising special health awareness programs for ladies to curbing open defecation for a family in the village of Pisawada by building a toilet, the community has made great strides in its efforts to have a positive impact on all sections of society.

India (Tier II)

Winner: Banswara

Category: Sustainability

The Banswara community has marked important Calendar events such as World Food Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Christmas and Republic Day by undertaking welfare activities, including the distribution of cooked meals, educational implements and blankets for the uplift of lesser fortunate sections in their locale. These efforts are the result of an efficient communication system within their volunteer corps that has ensured results on a sustained basis.

Runner Up: Navi Mumbai

Category: Engagement

The Navi Mumbai team has been a regular participant in awareness campaigns and outdoor activities where they have got the opportunity to engage with a wide range of environmentalists and Samaritan organisations. On World Migratory Bird Day, they participated in the Flamingo Festival organised by Delhi Public School aimed to create awareness of the preservation of wetlands & mangroves to protect the habitat of migratory birds like flamingos, who are a frequent sight owing to the wetlands near Navi Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra, India.

SPECIAL CATEGORY JURY AWARD

Winner: Karachi, Pakistan

Disaster Management

Pakistan’s 2022 monsoon season was catastrophic for nearly 33 million people as a combination of record rainfall and heatwave-induced glacial melting resulted in a devastating flood that submerged nearly a third of the country. 

The Dawoodi Bohra community of Pakistan mobilised various relief efforts for those impacted. They collaborated with the Pakistan Army’s Relief team and other governmental and humanitarian organisations to provide daily rations, ready meals, clothing and essential medical supplies to the flood-affected areas. Support also poured in from Dawoodi Bohra centres across different parts of the world which were then channelised to facilitate critical interventions.