RAFFA Community Development Awards 2009, recognised the achievements of Practitioners who are working to transform the more traditional NGO leadership and management models.

Wilton Powell, OBE, Chairman, RAFFA, presented The International Practitioner Award  to Hycenth Uchenye for a project called “Isuikwuato Quality Water and Sanitation for Healthy Life”.  This is an innovative andinspiring project that provides opportunities for community development and corporate involvement. Hycenth Uchenye said: “ It was an awesome moment and it was a great opportunity for meto give back to the community. I am grateful to The Coca-Cola Company, especially the entire Global Quality
organisation for their outstanding support on the success of the project and I look forward to a future partnership with RAFFA and its sustainability approach”.

Rudi Page, CEO,  RAFFA, remarked that  “The Isuikwuato Project is a worthy winner of our inaugural RAFFA Community Development Awards.  We were impressed with this project because it allows local communities to contribute to the transformation of their environment through skilfull enterprise.  This has the potential to bring both increased social and economic benefits”.

Bishop Francis Waihenya, Director, Action for Transformational Development, stated:
“ I am delighted to observe that RAFFA has deliberately maintained a non traditional form of governance in its Development agenda that widens the equation by including both the practitioners and constituents. This paradigm shift by RAFFA to a co-development model is significant and important.  It addresses the whole person and the entire community”.

There were also awards for  UK and Europe :

Spiritual Leadership – Bishop John Doroshuk
Spiritual & Humanitarian Support – Church of God of Georgia
Dedication to Quality Youth Development –  Janet Dubidat, Colleen Laing,   Kenneth Laing, Dr Sunday Pop-Ola and Tshepo Ramatumbu

Mary Seacole Development Mission – Margaret Richards
Health & Spiritual Care – COGOP, Aberdeen St, Birmingham
Membership Involvement – COGOP Region 4

For more information: admin@raffa.org.uk or www.raffa.org.uk