CFSI Director for Mindanao Programmes Noraida Abdullah Karim was selected by the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) to be awarded the “Outstanding Social Worker in the Philippines” Award for 2019.
During the PASWI Annual Convention held in Legazpi City 19 November 2019, Ms. Abdullah Karim was granted the award in recognition for her venerable contribution in social work and development for internally displaced persons.
To Ms. Abdullah Karim, receiving the award also means accepting bigger responsibilities, as she in her work with CFSI persists to meet the highest standards of service for its partners and the communities they work with. Noraida expressed great appreciation for her colleagues and co-social workers for their trust and collaborative efforts in achieving their goals for the communities where they serve.
Ms. Abdullah Karim has a long-standing history with CFSI since early 2001 rising through the ranks from her first post as Community Organizing Officer to Mindanao Operations Coordinator to Deputy Director for Philippine Programme to Director for Mindanao Programme–the post she currently holds.
Encouraged to develop her leadership skills through specialized training while working, Noraida undertook a fellowship with the Mindanao Bridging Leadership Training Programme of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in 2011 and 2012. She is currently undertaking a fellowship with the Equity Initiative, also known as the Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity in Southeast Asia, even as she carries out her many responsibilities as a Director at CFSI.
Because of her valuable work and excellent service in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, Ms. Abdullah Karim’s has previously received other awards including the “Voice of Courage of Award” from the Refugee Women’s Commission in New York City in 2007, and the “The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service” Award by TOWNS Philippines in 2013.
