Cynthia Umutesi
Nationality
Burundi
Category
Women's Leadership Award
Session
KAFXA Awards — 3rd Edition
Profession
Refugee rights advocate and community supporter
Social
www.tiktok.com/@umucycy
In their own words
I am honored to be nominated for the KAFXA Awards in recognition of my commitment to supporting refugees, migrants, and African communities in South Korea.
Since coming to Korea, I have dedicated myself to helping people feel supported, included, and connected to opportunities and resources. From 2024 to February 2026, I served as a Gyeonggi-do Foreign Resident Honorary Ambassador, contributing to the inclusion of foreign residents and promoting intercultural understanding.
I also served as Secretary of the Burundian Diaspora in South Korea from 2024 to 2025 and currently serve as Worldwide Secretary of the Burundian Diaspora Culture and Patriotism Commission. Through these responsibilities, I have supported community members, encouraged solidarity, and contributed to cultural and social initiatives.
Since coming to Korea, I have dedicated myself to helping people feel supported, included, and connected to opportunities and resources. From 2024 to February 2026, I served as a Gyeonggi-do Foreign Resident Honorary Ambassador, contributing to the inclusion of foreign residents and promoting intercultural understanding.
I also served as Secretary of the Burundian Diaspora in South Korea from 2024 to 2025 and currently serve as Worldwide Secretary of the Burundian Diaspora Culture and Patriotism Commission. Through these responsibilities, I have supported community members, encouraged solidarity, and contributed to cultural and social initiatives.
Why they were nominated
Achievements:
I have dedicated myself to supporting refugees, migrants, and the Burundian and African communities in South Korea. I was appointed Gyeonggi-do Foreign Resident Honorary Ambassador in 2024, recognizing my commitment to the foreign resident community. I have also participated in refugee rights advocacy, community initiatives, forums, and intercultural activities. In addition, I have helped organize and support Burundian community, cultural, and sports activities that bring people together and strengthen solidarity.
Contributions and Impact:
My work focuses on creating opportunities for refugees and migrants to be heard, supported, and included in Korean society. I share information, connect people with available resources, encourage community solidarity, and raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and migrants.
I also provide language and interpretation support to people who have difficulty communicating in Korean. I have helped refugees and migrants communicate in important situations, including hospitals, immigration offices, government institutions, and other essential services. By helping people understand and communicate, I help them access the services and support they need with greater confidence and dignity.
In addition, I contribute to strengthening the Burundian and African communities through cultural, social, and sporting activities. Through my advocacy and community leadership, I help build bridges between foreign communities and Korean society while promoting mutual understanding, respect, inclusion, and solidarity.
Why the nominee deserves the award:
I deserve this award because I have transformed my personal experience as a refugee into a commitment to helping others. Rather than allowing the challenges of displacement to define me, I have used my experience to become a voice for refugees, migrants, and foreign communities in Korea. My recognition as a Gyeonggi-do Foreign Resident Honorary Ambassador, my refugee rights advocacy, community leadership, and continued support for Burundian and African communities demonstrate my dedication to positive social change. I believe this award would recognize not only my individual efforts, but also the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees and migrants to Korean society.
I have dedicated myself to supporting refugees, migrants, and the Burundian and African communities in South Korea. I was appointed Gyeonggi-do Foreign Resident Honorary Ambassador in 2024, recognizing my commitment to the foreign resident community. I have also participated in refugee rights advocacy, community initiatives, forums, and intercultural activities. In addition, I have helped organize and support Burundian community, cultural, and sports activities that bring people together and strengthen solidarity.
Contributions and Impact:
My work focuses on creating opportunities for refugees and migrants to be heard, supported, and included in Korean society. I share information, connect people with available resources, encourage community solidarity, and raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and migrants.
I also provide language and interpretation support to people who have difficulty communicating in Korean. I have helped refugees and migrants communicate in important situations, including hospitals, immigration offices, government institutions, and other essential services. By helping people understand and communicate, I help them access the services and support they need with greater confidence and dignity.
In addition, I contribute to strengthening the Burundian and African communities through cultural, social, and sporting activities. Through my advocacy and community leadership, I help build bridges between foreign communities and Korean society while promoting mutual understanding, respect, inclusion, and solidarity.
Why the nominee deserves the award:
I deserve this award because I have transformed my personal experience as a refugee into a commitment to helping others. Rather than allowing the challenges of displacement to define me, I have used my experience to become a voice for refugees, migrants, and foreign communities in Korea. My recognition as a Gyeonggi-do Foreign Resident Honorary Ambassador, my refugee rights advocacy, community leadership, and continued support for Burundian and African communities demonstrate my dedication to positive social change. I believe this award would recognize not only my individual efforts, but also the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees and migrants to Korean society.
Achievements
I have dedicated myself to supporting refugees, migrants, and the Burundian and African communities in South Korea. I was appointed Gyeonggi-do Foreign Resident Honorary Ambassador in 2024, recognizing my commitment to the foreign resident community. I have also participated in refugee rights advocacy, community initiatives, forums, and intercultural activities. In addition, I have helped organize and support Burundian community, cultural, and sports activities that bring people together and strengthen solidarity.
Contributions & Impact
My work focuses on creating opportunities for refugees and migrants to be heard, supported, and included in Korean society. I share information, connect people with available resources, encourage community solidarity, and raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and migrants.
I also provide language and interpretation support to people who have difficulty communicating in Korean. I have helped refugees and migrants communicate in important situations, including hospitals, immigration offices, government institutions, and other essential services. By helping people understand and communicate, I help them access the services and support they need with greater confidence and dignity.
In addition, I contribute to strengthening the Burundian and African communities through cultural, social, and sporting activities. Through my advocacy and community leadership, I help build bridges between foreign communities and Korean society while promoting mutual understanding, respect, inclusion, and solidarity.
I also provide language and interpretation support to people who have difficulty communicating in Korean. I have helped refugees and migrants communicate in important situations, including hospitals, immigration offices, government institutions, and other essential services. By helping people understand and communicate, I help them access the services and support they need with greater confidence and dignity.
In addition, I contribute to strengthening the Burundian and African communities through cultural, social, and sporting activities. Through my advocacy and community leadership, I help build bridges between foreign communities and Korean society while promoting mutual understanding, respect, inclusion, and solidarity.
