Monday, November 04, 2013

Mother Teresa award goes to motorcyclist who helps free child soldiers

Sam Childers"This award belongs to the thousands of children in war-struck Sudan, and in many other parts of the world, who live a daily life with the constant fear and threat of attacks. I thank the Harmony Foundation for this honour," said Sam Childers, a biker from Pennsylvania, as he thanked the Harmony Foundation for the 2013 Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice.

Childers left a life of drugs and violence to embrace Christianity and for the past 13 years has been waging a "war" to free enslaved child soldiers in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan, Africa. The award ceremony was held in Leela, Mumbai.

"Never put limits on what we can do for the life of a child," Childers told AsiaNews. "Often I am told that I am violent, which is not true, but I cannot accept or believe that innocent children should be dismembered, [. . .] have their ears, noses, arms and legs [. . .] cut off. When it comes to social justice, it is essential to [. . .] get it." 

Even Sister Prema, Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity, sent a message to congratulate the award winner. Known by his nickname, Machine Gun Preacher, Childers said, "Blessed Mother Teresa was an amazing lady, and I admire her courage. Even though she was 'hacked' on a lot, she never stepped down from her mission" because of her "thirst for Christ." In fact, "I follow her example," he said, adding, "Do not limit what you can do for God, and He will not limit what he will do for you."

Founded in October 2005, the Harmony Foundation works to ensure that the legacy of Mother Teresa is honoured and that social justice prevails. The Foundation "strives to restore belief in compassion and egalitarianism," said Abraham Mathai, founder and president of the association. "By acknowledging individuals and organisations working for society, we hope to highlight and reinstate faith in tolerance, social equality and peace!"