Through The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) Program, Junior Chamber International (JCI) formally recognizes young individuals who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of the world’s youth.

Honorees selected in past years have represented the heights of progress in numerous human endeavors. Many have gone on to even greater achievements. All have continued to serve humanity in a variety of ways. In 2006, JCI received a total of 145 entries for the TOYP program from 42 national organizations and countries. The entries were all carefully evaluated by the judges. The international panel of Judges was composed of Guy Sebban, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Secretary General; Tony Jones, Anheuser Busch Director; Michael Madnick, UN Foundation Senior Vice President; and Lars Hajslund, JCI President. The role of the judges was difficult because the nominees were all extraordinary young people. Many of them had been selected as outstanding individuals, first at the local level and then at the national level. The judges had to choose, however, the ten young people that best exemplify the optimum qualities of today’s youth. Maria Kidney, Director of Friends of Londiani is among the recipients of the TOYP Award. She received an award for Humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership on Monday 13th November 2007 at an Awards Ceremony during the 61st JCI World Congress in Seoul, Korea. This Award is recognition of the work that Friends of Londiani is doing in Kenya and we would like to thank all those who have supported us since our beginning.

Henrick Verway (President JCI Cobh) Maria Kidney (Friends of Londiani), Suzanne Corcoran (National President JCI Ireland) at the recent Irish TOYP ceremony in Tullamore, Co. Offaly.		Maria Kidney (FOL Ireland) receives the TOYP Humanitarian Award from Yiannis Lagos (2006 JCI Vice President)