DUBLIN EVENT HONORS HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS ACROSS 11 COUNTRIES

DUBLIN, IRELAND — Under the banner of International Volunteer Recognition Day, the 2025 HELP Awards illuminated the power of collective action, honoring over 20 individuals and organizations whose dedication to service bridges cultures and continents. Hosted at the Church of Scientology & Community Centre of Dublin, the ceremony celebrated volunteers from 11 countries across three continents, showcasing stories of resilience, inclusion, and hope.

“Tonight, we honour the quiet heroes, the loud champions, and everyone in between who go the extra mile for others—because it’s the right thing to do,” said Asia Kuzma, Community Relations Officer at the Church of Scientology, in her opening remarks. The event, established in 2019 by the Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Ireland, has grown into an annual tradition recognizing grassroots changemakers.

A Tapestry of Service: Stories of Impact

The evening highlighted diverse efforts, from humanitarian crises to cultural preservation. Among the honorees was Zak Moradi, a Kurdish-Irish hurler championing inclusion through sport. His initiative, Hurling Without Borders , has trained over 500 participants from refugee backgrounds in Ireland, using the traditional Irish game as a tool for integration and teamwork. “Sport breaks barriers,” Moradi said. “When we play together, we learn to trust each other.”

Ibrahim Halawa, a human rights lawyer and former prisoner of conscience, was recognized for his work defending marginalized communities. Released after nearly seven years in Egyptian detention in 2022, Halawa now leads the Justice for All campaign, providing legal aid to asylum seekers in Ireland and advocating for international human rights reforms. “Volunteering isn’t just about time—it’s about standing up when it matters,” he stated.

Lassane Ouedraogo, Chairperson of the Africa Centre, was lauded for fostering cross-cultural dialogue through educational programs and refugee support services. The center’s Bridging Generations project connects African elders with youth to preserve heritage while navigating modern challenges. Meanwhile, Susuana Komolafe, founder of the Afro in Diaspora Centre, received praise for her Roots & Wings initiative, which offers mental health workshops and leadership training to Black Irish youth. “We’re creating spaces where people feel seen,” Komolafe remarked.

Global Resilience: From Disasters to Daily Acts

The Volunteer Ministers of the Czech Republic received the first international HELP Award for their response to September 2024 floods, which displaced hundreds in Central Europe. Trained at the Dublin center, the team mobilized within hours, coordinating shelter, food distribution, and post-disaster counseling. Their efforts included rebuilding homes for 120 families in Prague’s hardest-hit neighborhoods. “When disaster strikes, every second counts,” said team leader Martina Novak. “Our training prepared us to act fast—and to bring hope when it’s needed most.”

Closer to home, John Korah Chandy was honored for his decade-long commitment to Ireland’s migrant communities, offering free English classes and job readiness workshops. Yanni Hatz, a retired teacher, volunteers with Books for All , delivering literacy programs to rural schools. Alan and Siobhan Ryan’s Green Roots initiative has planted over 10,000 native trees in urban areas, while Sergiy Mas’s TechBridge project provides digital skills to seniors, closing the tech gap.

The mother-and-daughter duo Avalon and Yara Juffart were recognized for their Youth for Change mentorship program, which pairs teenagers with local nonprofits. “Young people aren’t just the future—they’re the now ,” said Avalon, age 16. Maria Bunici, accepting her award, dedicated it to her late mother, who volunteered for a hospice for 25 years. “Her kindness taught me that small acts create ripples,” Bunici said.

Cultural Bridges and Artistic Activism

Community groups promoting culture and heritage as a means of integration were also acknowledged. The Innovative Business Club (IBC) supports immigrant entrepreneurs through startup grants and networking, while The Sudanese Community in Ireland organizes cultural festivals that draw thousands annually. VOLA Enable empowers neurodivergent individuals through art therapy, and Moldova Vision connects diaspora volunteers with projects in their homeland.

Krishna Academy of Social Sciences (KASSI) and the Confederation of Indian Communities in Ireland (CICI) were praised for preserving traditions while fostering intergenerational dialogue. CICI’s Diwali for All event, which welcomes 2,000 attendees yearly, includes food drives and storytelling sessions. Marathi Mandal Ireland’s Language of Unity workshops teach Marathi to children of Indian expats, ensuring cultural continuity.

Artists who use their talents for charitable causes were spotlighted as well. Musician Ken Tuohy’s charity concerts have raised €200,000 for housing initiatives, while playwright Frank Allen’s Voices Unheard series amplifies working-class narratives through community theater. Five-time Oireachtas na Gaeilge winner Noel O’Grady was honored for blending traditional Gaelic singing with outreach programs for at-risk youth.

Unity in Action: A Community Built on Collaboration

Councillor Francis Timmons, a past HELP Award recipient and advocate for Dublin’s homeless, presented a Letter of Appreciation to the Scientology Volunteer Ministers. “Your outreach reflects a true spirit of selfless service,” he said. “Even though the world feels more divided than ever, we have here under one roof people from all cultures working together in peace. That is powerful!”

Timmons, who co-founded a shelter serving 300 meals daily, praised the Church’s year-round partnerships. The Dublin center’s Youth for Human Rights program, which reaches 1,500 students annually, teaches tolerance through interactive workshops. Its Truth About Drugs initiative has reduced substance abuse rates in participating schools by 30%.

The event, described by attendees as “electric” and “deeply moving,” emphasized cross-cultural collaboration. Diana Stahl, Director of Public Affairs at the Church of Scientology, presented awards alongside past recipients, including filmmaker Robby Walsh and traditional musician Tommy Breen. Guests explored volunteering opportunities with NGOs like Amnesty International and the Red Cross, while youth delegates from 10 countries shared ideas at a post-event summit.

Scientology’s Expanding Role in Global Humanitarianism

Since opening in 2017, Dublin’s Church of Scientology & Community Centre has become a hub for initiatives spanning drug prevention, environmental awareness, and human rights education. The late L. Ron Hubbard, who launched humanitarian programs from Dublin’s Merrion Square in 1956, envisioned Scientology churches as community pillars—a mission now echoed globally.

Scientology’s growing recognition as a religion continues to gain momentum, with increasing collaboration across faiths and governments. Ivan Arjona, Scientology Representative to the European Union and United Nations, emphasized its universal ethos: “Scientology’s core principle—helping others—is a bridge that unites humanity. Our work with communities worldwide proves that when we stand together, we create lasting change.”

Arjona highlighted recent partnerships, like a human rights training program for educators across Europe, drug prevention activities and events at UNODC and Freedom of Relgion or Belief at the United Nations Geneva. “Religious freedom isn’t just about belief—it’s about action,” he added. “Every day, Scientologists demonstrate that through service.”

From local volunteers to international responders, the 2025 HELP Awards reaffirmed the transformative power of service—one act, one community, and one shared vision at a time. As Asia Kuzma concluded, “This isn’t just a celebration. It’s a call to action. Because when we give our time, we give the greatest gift of all: hope.”

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