Through the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund, every winner receives support to continue their education and, where needed, to help their siblings and family.The fund helps young changemakers build on their work and continue creating impact in their communities.
To help the winners grow both personally and as leaders for change, KidsRights created the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund, named after our patron Desmond Tutu.
Through the Fund, winners receive support to continue their education and academic development. It also helps provide opportunities for their siblings and family where needed, creating a stronger foundation for their future.
By investing in education and care, KidsRights invests not only in the impact young changemakers make today, but also in the leaders they will continue to become.
The former winners of the International Children’s Peace Prize show what lasting impact looks like. Around the world, they are building organisations, projects and human rights initiatives that reach hundreds of thousands of children.
The International Children’s Peace Prize is more than a recognition of extraordinary courage. It is a long-term investment in sustainable social change.
Discover where International Children's Peace Prize winners are studying and how the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund helps them continue their journey. Below is an overview of what our most recent winners are studying.
Winning the International Children’s Peace Prize is often the beginning of an extraordinary journey. With the support of the International Children’s Peace Prize Project Fund and the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund, winners continue to develop themselves and grow the initiatives they started.
The examples below show how young changemakers turn recognition into lasting impact.
Om Prakash Gurjar grew up as a child labourer in India. Today, he is creating opportunities for vulnerable children through his organisation Paathshala Trust in Jaipur, supporting children living in poverty or at risk of exploitation.
With support from KidsRights, Om Prakash was able to establish and grow his organisation. Today, Paathshala Trust provides more than 100 children with education, nutritious meals, psychosocial support and a safe place to learn and thrive.
Abraham Keita has grown into a leading advocate for children’s rights in Liberia. He continues to champion better education, the protection of vulnerable children and meaningful youth participation.
With support from the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund, Abraham is also building his academic future. After studying at Yale University, he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Law at Leiden University and will continue his studies at Cambridge University in 2026.
Nav and Vihaan have continued to grow both their organisation, One Step Greener, and their academic journey at Stanford University with support from KidsRights.
Through their youth-led recycling enterprise in Delhi, they are helping create a cleaner and healthier environment for children and young people. Today, One Step Greener collects and processes waste from more than 25,000 households and 500 schools and businesses. They are also developing the Children’s Climate Action Hub, an educational centre where children can learn about waste management, air quality and climate change.
Nila Ibrahimi continues to stand up for the rights of Afghan girls and women, with a special focus on education and empowerment. With support from KidsRights, she founded HerStory, a digital platform that helps Afghan girls and women find information, share experiences and connect with one another.
Since its launch in 2024, HerStory has grown into a global community with thousands of followers. In 2025, Nila was named a UN Global Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals. She is also continuing her education at the University of British Columbia in Canada with support from the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund.
The Desmond Tutu Study and Care Fund is supported by private donors and companies who believe in the power of young leaders. Would you like to help a winner continue their education and build an even greater impact? There are many ways to contribute. Get in touch and we will be happy to explore the possibilities with you.
The International Children's Peace Prize Project Fund helps young changemakers turn bold ideas into lasting impact, giving them the opportunity to grow their initiatives and reach even more children.