2006 United Nations Vienna Civil Society Awards

Winners of the 2006 United Nations Vienna Civil Society Awards, which honour grassroots NGOs and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the fight against drugs and crime, received their prizes in Vienna on 1 December 2006.

The three winners are committed and compassionate individuals who have often made great personal sacrifices to help vulnerable people in their local communities. They share a conviction that people, no matter what their background, can succeed when given a chance.

The Civil Society Awards were created by the Austrian Federal Government, the City of Vienna and UNODC.

Ana María Marañón, from the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia, works to protect high-risk street children, particularly in the 8-12 age group. Her treatment and rehabilitation centres have helped countless children suffering from severe behavioural problems and addictions. 

"I could give my life for them," Ana María said. "They are as worthy as anyone else; they should study and get ahead."

Muraad Abdulkarim Saad, from Kenya, is a campaigner in the field of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention. Through his Reach Out Centre Trust in Mombasa, Muraad has provided treatment and preventive services to thousands of people. He is planning to set up a centre to help women drug users, sex workers and trafficked women.  

"Women cannot rob or steal like men to support themselves, but they can sell their bodies," he said. "This makes them especially vulnerable to taking drugs and contracting HIV/AIDS."

Touraya Bouabid is the President of the Association Marocaine d'Aide aux Enfants en Situation Précaire (AMESIP), Morocco. AMESIP cares for street children and children addicted to drugs, some of whom are as young as 5 or 6 years old. It runs detoxification programmes and shelters, and helps put children back into school. The organization also manages a circus school for street children.

"The street is the worst school for a child," Touraya said. "There is violence, sexual abuse and glue sniffing. We have to give children back their dignity."