Young Filipina recognized internationally for Public Service. Arizza Ann Sanhi-Nocum (3rd from right) was awarded as one of Zonta International’s Young Women for Public Affairs. Nocum plans to donate part of her $4,000 prize money to her Muslim-Christian advocacy, the Kristiyano-Islam Peace Library, in the spirit of Eid’l Fitr.
PASAY CITY, Philippines - Arriza Ann Sahi-Nocum, a 16-year-old Filipina-Muslin freshman student from the University of the Philippine personifies a living inspiration to the Filipino people and to the youth as she received her Zonta International award with a cash prize of US$4,000. The awarding ceremony was held at Sofitel Philippine Plaza on Saturday 28 August while the country was facing the threat of storm Mina.
Sahi-Nocum, is one of the 5 recipients of the Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) award of Zonta International, a global organization that aims to advance the status of women through service and advocacy. She was recognized for her work in helping build libraries and distribute books in war-torn areas in the country and was nominated by Ms. Teresita Buencamino of Zonta Club in Quezon City.
She is actively advocating and supporting Kristiyano-Islam Peace Library (KRIS) literacy programs where she leads volunteers in the collection of books, write articles and letters to donors, manage the
www.krislibrary.com; and facilitate book-readings and other programs for KRIS.
Moved
Sanhi-Nocum is an advocate of improving education the war-torn areas of Mindanao. “I am donating part of the US $4,000 prize from Zonta Foundation,” the UP Oblation scholar said.
Acting as a spokesperson for Mindanao-stricken areas due to military and rebel conflicts reported that it has the highest drop-out rates, maintains the lowest scores for national achievement tests; and is therefore severely in need in terms of education. With her efforts, she longs to see her scholars will transform into Mindanao’s changemakers someday.
Prior to receiving US$3, 000, she first bagged a US$1, 000 grant from the Zonta Award of District 17, after besting other finalists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. At the international level, she won along with four other winners from Ghana, India, Switzerland, and the US.
“This award and my donation do not spell the end of my commitment to Zonta and to public affairs. It is only the beginning,” Sahi-Nocum assured her audience.
