05 December 2002

Tegucigalpa, Honduras: Two individuals and one organization in Honduras today were presented with the Presidential Volunteer Award for their assistance to children and youth at risk. It is the first time that volunteers are presented with the award, which was launched during an official ceremony in the capital, Tegucigalpa.

"The official launch of the Presidential Volunteer Award presented to volunteers today is a milestone in the work of UN Volunteers promoting volunteerism in Honduras," said Alfredo Gadea, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme Officer in Tegucigalpa and member of the jury along with representatives of the Red Cross, International Rotary and the Presidential Agency for Volunteering.

Among the volunteers awarded, Jorge Mahomar helps young people at risk for a better life; Nubia Mendoza sets up activities for children affected by cancer and the mothers' advisory service Madres Guías helps families ensure a good start in life for children and teenagers.

"The choice of 5 December to launch the Presidential Volunteer Prize is symbolic for the awarded volunteers, as it marks the International Volunteer Day (IVD) celebrated each year by tens of thousands of volunteers around the globe," said Cesar Guedes, Programme Specialist at UNV's headquarters in Bonn, Germany.

This IVD marks the first anniversary of the end of the International Year of Volunteers 2001 (IYV). The new volunteer award pays tribute to the work of UN Volunteers who carried out negotiations with the Government and volunteer associations in Honduras during IYV to give recognition to the service of volunteers who help improve social and economic infrastructure and living conditions for the people of Honduras.

UN Volunteers seek to strengthen local partnerships to mobilize volunteers and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Honduras.