UAE students honored with Diana Award for compassionate charity work – News

Outstanding inspirational environmental protection activities and charitable undertakings lead two young students to achieve remarkable results

Anania Manikandan. – provide photos

Ananya Manikandan, a 12-year-old student from Sharjah, has won several awards for her social and environmental work. But she said the latest award was very special to her. She is the recipient of the Princess Diana Award for Outstanding Young Hero in the UAE. “This is a special feat and the highest award for me,” said the young social worker.

Ananya studied at DPS Sharjah and has made a significant impact through her social and environmental work. “She was nominated for her outstanding cleanup work and environmental activities. Her passion for protecting the environment has led to her organizing many cleanups including beach cleanups in Dubai, Umm Al Quwain and Ajman,” said Anani Ya’s father Manikandan said.

Ananya continues to raise awareness of critical issues such as plastic pollution, school bullying, refugees and more through engaging short films and plays she creates. Screenings of many of her films at the Zabeel Ladies Club and the Oscar Theater in Sharjah attracted an audience of 400.

In addition to her pursuit of the environment, Ananya also actively contributes as a member of the Emirates Water Alliance Association and the Emirates Environment Group. “She is spearheading community recycling initiatives. Emirates Environment Group has been awarding her to be among the top 10 recyclers in the UAE,” said Manikandan.

Her commitment to recycling goes beyond plastics and clothes, as she promotes and distributes leaflets to every household, while also delivering an impactful PowerPoint presentation on the importance of recycling clothes. “Ananya fosters a sustainable culture by collecting clothes from people and donating them to charitable trusts,” says Manikandan.

Student Aalia Rumana, 15, was also honored for her social action or humanitarian efforts.

Alia Romanian. – provide photos

Alia has won the hearts of many with her outstanding dedication to philanthropy and academic achievement. Personal experience fueled her passion to help family members who have witnessed the challenges cancer patients face.

Determined to make a difference, Aalia is on a mission to raise awareness and support breast cancer patients, orphans, people with disabilities and underprivileged students.

“Aalia has been named a brand ambassador for Protect Your Mom. She is responsible for organizing impactful events, fundraising, uniting the community and contributing to the noble cause of supporting cancer patients and spreading breast cancer awareness.” Aalia’s mother Beema Siraj said.

“Her efforts inspired others to get involved,” she added.

The award, created in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales, is presented by the charity of the same name and is supported by her sons, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex.

Tessy Ojo CBE, Chief Executive of the Diana Awards, said: “We warmly congratulate the new Diana Award winners from the UK and around the world, who are the change makers of this generation. They prove that young people have the power to change the world, Diana The Duchess believes in that too. We know that by receiving this honour, they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and start their journeys of change.”

Winners are proposed by adults who know young people professionally. Through a rigorous nomination process, these nominees must demonstrate the nominee’s impact in five key areas: vision, social impact, inspiring others, youth leadership, and journey of service.

There are 20 Diana Awards jury members representing every region or country in the UK and internationally. The panel consisted of three judges who understand the value of young people, including a youth representative. The panel is responsible for determining which nominations from each region or country will receive a Diana Award.

Nominations are judged against criteria guidelines and scoring guidelines created to measure the quality of youth social action.