Finalists Announced for $1 Million Opus Humanitarian Prize

Written by on September 10, 2009 in Entrepreneurship, Featured, Funding, South America, Videos - 4 Comments

The Opus Prize Foundation has been recognizing faith-based social entrepreneurs for the last 15 years (originally founded in 1994). Finalists must exhibit “entrepreneurship, transformational leadership, faith lived each day, service to others, and respect for the dignity of the human person.  And, most significantly, Opus Prize winners exemplify the adage, ‘Give a person a fish; you have fed him for a day. Teach a person to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.’” This approach is similar to Ashoka’s fellow selection process, which takes an extremely close look at a social entrepreneur’s motives, beliefs, future plans and system-changing work.

The Opus Prize Foundation also selects a collegiate partner every year to help identify, vet and award worthy change makers. This year the University of St. Thomas was selected to aid in organization and awarding of the Opus Prize. The university partnership program challenges students to think globally and witness acts of inspirational social innovation.

In addition to the $1 million first place prize, the Opus Prize also awards two $100,000 prizes recognizing unsung heroes from around the world who are creating lasting social change and inspiring others to do the same.

The finalists will be flown to Minnesota for the award ceremony, hosted by St. Thomas, on Nov. 4.

opus_prize_foundation_2008

(Photo: 2008 Opus Prize Finalists)

Meet the Finalists

Aïcha Ech Channa of Casablanca, Morocco
Aïcha Ech Channa is founder and president of Association Solidarité Féminine, providing services and council to unmarried women with children equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure their own livelihoods.


Sister Valeriana García-Martín of Bogotá, Colombia
Sister Valeriana García-Martín is founder and director of the Asociación Hogares Luz y Vida, which cares for 145 physically and mentally handicapped children and educates or provides day care services for 850 children from the community.

Father Hans Stapel, O.F.M., of Guaratinguetá, Brazil
Father Hans Stapel is co-founder and president of Fazenda da Esperança – Farms of Hope. He has established more than 60 therapeutic communities in 10 countries to help people with drug and alcohol addictions rebuild their lives.

Opus Prize Foundation

The Opus Prize logo

The Opus Prize is a $1 million faith-based humanitarian award and two $100,000 awards given annually to recognize unsung heroes of any faith tradition, anywhere in the world, solving today’s most persistent social problems.

Tristan

Tristan is a SocialEarth cofounder, freelance writer, community builder and solution journalist who covers creativity, social innovation and technology. He has worked with Ashoka and Best Buy promoting social entrepreneurship and responsibility.

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