Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands (center), UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development, presents the Albert Schweitzer Award to Melissa Villa in the presence of Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo
London, 27 March 2018 - The Philippine Embassy in London reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila that Melissa Villa, founder of Project PEARLS, was given the Albert Schweitzer Award at the World Literacy Summit held at Oxford University last 26 March 2018.
Villa received the World Literacy Summit’s newest flagship award from Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, who serves as UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development, in the presence of some ambassadors and other dignitaries from over 50 countries.
Villa founded Project PEARLS which stands for ‘Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love, and Smiles’ initially to help poor children living in Tondo, Manila. The project’s services have expanded to help the poorest of the poor children in the Philippines have a better life through education, empowerment, nutrition, and healthcare services, among others.
Philippine Ambassador to the UK Antonio Lagdameo congratulated Villa on winning the prestigious award. Ambassador Lagdameo said: “I wish Melissa Villa and Project PEARLS more success in their efforts to help uplift the conditions of poor children in the Philippines. I hope this well-deserved recognition by global literacy advocates and experts will inspire them and others to strive to end child illiteracy and poverty everywhere.”
The inaugural Albert Schweitzer Medal and Lectureship Award is named after Albert Schweitzer who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. The prize is awarded for individual contributions and services to the world in the area of literacy and health. Apart from the medal itself, there is a cash prize and an opportunity for the winner to deliver a lecture at Oxford University. END