Father Pedro Opeka, CM has been nominated to the Raoul Wallenberg Award of the Council of Europe. The Famvin Homeless Alliance has supported this nomination, which has been officially carried out by the Slovenian Government because “his great self-sacrifice makes him a worthy candidate for the award that would significantly help raise awareness of his humanitarian work.”

Over the past three decades, he has created Akamasoa – a project aimed at supporting people living in slums by providing them with the tools, opportunities and the community needed to change the lives of their families for generations to come. Akamasoa is part of the “13 Houses” Campaign, and one of the best examples of Vincentian work to ending homelessness. By now, Akamasoa has helped over 500.000 people and is continuing to increase its out reach by developing new communities across Madagascar. Pope Francis visited Akamasoa in 2019.

The Raoul Wallenberg Award is presented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Swedish Government and the Hungarian Parliament. The award is presented every two years to an individual, a group or an organisation operating within the mission of the Council of Europe to commemorate the achievements of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who protected members of the Jewish community in Budapest in 1944 and 1945. Father Pedro Opeka CM has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Source: https://vfhomelessalliance.org/