AGHPF Global Initiative Award – 2009 Honorees
                                                                                                                                                           

Constance Mwalagho

Twelve years ago , Constance decided, at a time when she should be enjoying the fruits of her labor, to become a new mother to 400 orphans and street children: What makes her so special is that Constance actually enjoys this role and most of all she has given these kids an opportunity to experience something most of us take for granted; “Love and somewhere to call home”.

When asked how she is doing, with her always bright smile, she will respond      “... I’m so thankful to God, my kids had something to eat today, so I just have to pray God to    provide for tomorrow”.

Constance is married with four grown successful children. 

Elizabeth Akinyi


Elizabeth Akinyi can be appropriately described as a young lady with a big heart.  She has spent the last 13 years of her life taking care of children. Elizabeth embarked on developing a centre, school and home which is today called Oxscic Children Centre.

It started with 25 pupils and only one volunteer teacher.  By the end of 1996, the children had grown to 120 (70 boys and 50 girls).  Today there are 332 children at the home. 

 Asked what she desires most, she says “... to take care of orphan children.”

Dimina Machanja

Dimina Machanja, favorably known as Mama Tunza, the founder of the Tunza Children Center, assists vulnerable and disabled children. 

With no formal education but a heart of love, Mama Tunza has successfully ran the Tunza Children’s Center for 11 years. She picked up a 3 months old baby from  compost, and took him to the chief, who gave her custody of the child until the mother was found, then came a three week old, then an abandoned day old. 

When asked why she continues to do this, Mama Tunza (which means “take care of”)   replies “… I have seen so many, many children suffering out of no fault of their own, child labor, molestation, HIV ...”   She is married with four children.

Judge Florence Arrey


Judge Florence Arrey, works with the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (UN-ICTR).  She is a member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers and sits on the Board of The International Association of Women Judges.

With a very strong legal background, it is no wonder that over the last ten years, she has dedicated herself, out of court, to issues of women’s rights to inheritance, succession and their empowerment. Her community work includes; working with children and her special interest in educating young women on how to fill their marriage certificate.

When asked what she loves about her work in the community, like the Judge, she says “… the empowerment of women is very dear to me both on and off the bench, their rights and ability to care for their children.” She has two children.