The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has announced its honorees for the sixth edition. Among them is 15-year-old Heman Bekele, the award's first youth recipient. Bekele, an Ethiopian American, has gained recognition for his remarkable work in making healthcare more accessible and affordable. At just 14 years old, he created a cost-effective soap known as the Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS) to prevent and treat early-stage skin cancer.
His passion project has already earned him the title of "Kid of the Year" by TIME Magazine in 2024 and various accolades in scientific competitions. Bekele states that he hopes to transform his project into a nonprofit organization within the next five years to offer equitable and accessible skin cancer treatment to a larger audience.
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity will also honor Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley for her leadership in climate action, as well as the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen founded by Chef José Andrés for its extensive food relief efforts. The winners will be officially recognized on February 4 at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi, where the $1-million prize will be divided among them.
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, highlighted that this year's honorees exemplify how transformative work can emerge from any age or background, encouraging others to contribute to a better future. Bekele's dedication to innovative healthcare solutions is evident as he continues to collaborate with researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
