A joining of continents, a joining of hearts. During her program in Chartres, France, Amma graciously accepted the Kékéli Peace Prize, a civil society award connected with International Day for African and Afro-Descendant Culture. Initiated by Mr. John Ayite Dossavi from Togo, the day has been adopted by United Nations member states, including India.
“Many thanks to Amma for agreeing to receive the 2026 Kékéli Award, announced this year at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This award is given to individuals from all walks of life who work for peace, harmony, social cohesion, and above all, who share love,” he said.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the attention you are giving to Africa, which is our common cradle. We are all proud to have come from this cradle that is Africa.”
Mr. Dossavi is also the founder of Réseau Africain des Promoteurs et Entrepreneurs Culturels (RAPEC)—Network of African Cultural Promoters and Entrepreneurs. He works to support cultural entrepreneurship, creative industries, and the broader role of culture in sustainable development in Africa.
Deeply moved, Amma shared that the rise and progress of Africa is a cause very dear to her heart. She expressed gratitude for the award and offered it to “all her children who have been working hard to contribute to its upliftment.” Amma said we must all do our best to help the people meet their basic needs.
“When I visited Africa for the first time and witnessed the living conditions of some of the people there, I felt a strong desire to stay and serve them, and did not feel like leaving,” she expressed.
“There is tremendous potential in Africa, and if it is awakened, the continent can make a great contribution to the entire world. The citizens of Africa need to become aware of this vast potential within themselves.”
Amma continued, “There is no point in a diabetic patient taking medicine but continuing to eat sweets—their sugar levels will never come under control. They must be aware of the right diet and lifestyle to follow.
“In the same way, it is awareness of their own potential that will empower the people of Africa to progress in life and help the continent move forward as well.”
When I visited Africa for the first time and witnessed the living conditions of some of the people there, I felt a strong desire to stay and serve them.
Amma
Amma’s initiatives began in 2009 in Kenya. Through her vision, they are supporting a continent of empowered communities, equitable access, and sustainable peace. An Africa where humanitarian action supports long-term resilience and every voice contributes to shared progress.
The Ashram runs several projects in Africa with the cross-cutting goal of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Alongside a slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, there is a school for impoverished children and vocational training for youth.
In 2011, cataract surgeries began in Kenya and since then, have also reached Cameroon, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, and Zambia. Today, more than 9,700 free procedures have been performed. We have also provided canes for the visually impaired and trained rural health volunteers for vision screening in Kenya.
As well, initiatives have been piloted for skills training in Rwanda and management of community water supply in Tanzania.
From the level of higher education, Amma envisions a common bond between Africa and India to support sustainable development. Amrita University grants scholarships for students from across the continent to travel to India to study. With an emphasis on Amrita’s medical schools, it is a cultural and academic exchange based upon universal human values and instilling youth with knowledge and compassion.
