An 18-year-old Kazakhstani, Diana Murzagalieva, has received the prestigious Princess Diana Award for her outstanding contributions in the social sphere, reports the “Adyrna” national portal.
This was announced by the British Embassy in Kazakhstan on December 6, 2024.
The award, named in honor of Princess Diana, is presented by a charitable organization bearing her name. It is supported by Princess Diana’s sons, Prince William of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
According to the embassy, Diana Murzagalieva was diagnosed with dysarthria in her childhood due to the aftermath of nuclear tests conducted near the city of Semey.
“Diana Murzagalieva has dedicated her life to supporting people who face difficulties with speech and health. Overcoming the challenges of dysarthria caused by nuclear tests, she endured school bullying and numerous surgeries. Although she could not speak during her childhood, she expressed her thoughts through writing, later creating stories about the dreams of children with disabilities. These stories became the foundation for her animated film ‘Hope is Always With Us’ (‘Надежда всегда с нами’),” the embassy noted.
Diana founded the “Inclusive Academy” and the AI-based SpeakUp application, which assists people with speech impairments. Her work focuses on advancing global inclusion through education, technology, and storytelling. The embassy described Diana as a person “breaking barriers and advancing inclusion worldwide.”
In a letter to Diana marking the award’s 25th anniversary, Prince William wrote:
“On this 25th anniversary of the award, it is inspiring to see the work of young people from all over the world being recognized. While the world may sometimes feel uncertain and complex, your efforts, resilience, and contributions to positive change are undeniable. As you receive this award, I know my mother, Princess Diana, would be so proud of you. I hope this recognition motivates you to continue helping others and making the world around you better.”
Diana shared how meaningful the day was for her and said she would cherish the moment forever.
“Today is a special day for me. I am proud to announce that I have received a letter of gratitude from Prince William and have been honored with the Princess Diana Award!” she wrote on Instagram.
Diana reflected on her childhood dream of helping children with special needs, a dream that led her to this remarkable achievement.
“Reading the prince’s letter brought tears to my eyes. I remembered the little girl who once wrote in her diary about helping children with special needs. At the time, I could never have imagined that such a promise would lead me to this incredible recognition,” the young Kazakhstani shared.
Finally, Diana expressed her gratitude to her parents, teachers, friends, UNICEF coordinators, and the Diana Award team. She encouraged everyone to contribute to making the world a better place.
