Khadija Mistry, Grade 12
UWC Costa Rica
To what extent do we really push ourselves to go out of our way and help improve someone’s life or something for the world? Even with countless people having your back, to many, helping out just 10% of our potential is usually the goal, despite having the need to do the most in a developing country like Congo. That 10% is a drop that makes up the ocean of good deeds for those in need, however we must recognize those who push themselves beyond that. We mightn’t be pushing ourselves to reach our full potential, but Miss Zaheda Dewji ‘s actions have demonstrated the impact meeting this potential can have in the upliftment of the community.
You must be wondering who Miss Zaheda is. She isn’t someone as famous as Malala Yusuf or Rosa Parks. Only a woman in a neighborhood across town who’s doing her part in making the world a better place. She’s been involved in several projects over the past 10 years while running her very own, Zarina NGO. The team has been helping out old age homes, orphanages, schools, and clinics along with holding food distributions in religious festivals or areas hit with the never-ending conflicts that tag along with the current pandemic. Honestly, if I list the work the organization has done, it’d run beyond this page, proving there are several ways to help out a community, even us, as teenagers from similar neighborhoods.
“From all the projects I’ve done, the one I am most attached to is a KG to grade 12 school- Cite De Savoir,” she says. within 250 students, the needy 100 are given education withoutpaying. Miss Zaheda believes that getting education is not only for the sake of education itself, but for learning as well, and that every small step taken will be another risk to be prepared for after carefully planning. Although, this is the only school they’ve build presently, with her self-confidence, optimistic personality, and ability to dream big, she plans for much more ahead. For most of us, reaching to this level and doing so much as providing all these children education might be a little far-fetched; or so we tell ourselves. The truth is that there really is nothing stopping us from giving our all to stand that high up the ladder.
What was most enjoyable about this project was “seeing the development, progress and eventually a child with a confident smile makes me immensely happy.” I guess this is all the motivation needed when realizing the efforts of the volunteers, sponsors, and donors were all worth it. Having an exceptionally hard-working team, must definitely be a huge help in doing all that needs to be done... So no, it’s not just about doing all of these amazing things. It’s about going through the process to reach a goal that’s been so long waited for.
When asked for her inspiration, Miss Zaheda replied; “When I was a child, I used to see both my mother and father help the needy, be it at schools or hospitals, be it financially or morally.” She states that whatever she has done or will do is because of them and that not having the opportunity to complete her own education, this project was a go just as she`d thought of it.
Her toughest challenge was an answer many wouldn’t be surprised to hear; her gender. “being a woman in a mostly men dominated world has not been easy to overcome. However, self-confidence, hard work and not giving up has enabled me to overcome this challenge.” the key is, undoubtedly, commitment. With determination and a will to change things, everyone can make a difference.
And for advice for others planning on doing similar work, the answer was unsurprisingly, once again self-confidence, perseverance, and honesty. for the readers of this magazine, majorly teens, she advises to grab opportunities and give it our best, and be optimistic even when we fail. But most importantly, “never give up.” We are young, but that isn’t something that would pull us down. As youth, we could do just as much and maybe even more. If we put our heads into it, dreams would just be new goals.
‘Nothing in life is more satisfying than giving a hand to others when they need it the most.” -Zaheda Dewji. A quote well said that fits her only too well. There are several words that can be used to describe her, someone who never surrendered; an inspiration, a strong woman, but most of all, a leader. If we really open our eyes, dream bigger than ever, see how we don’t have any of the limitations we think we do, and that almost anything isn’t impossible, we could all be leaders.
You must be wondering who Miss Zaheda is. She isn’t someone as famous as Malala Yusuf or Rosa Parks. Only a woman in a neighborhood across town who’s doing her part in making the world a better place. She’s been involved in several projects over the past 10 years while running her very own, Zarina NGO. The team has been helping out old age homes, orphanages, schools, and clinics along with holding food distributions in religious festivals or areas hit with the never-ending conflicts that tag along with the current pandemic. Honestly, if I list the work the organization has done, it’d run beyond this page, proving there are several ways to help out a community, even us, as teenagers from similar neighborhoods.
“From all the projects I’ve done, the one I am most attached to is a KG to grade 12 school- Cite De Savoir,” she says. within 250 students, the needy 100 are given education withoutpaying. Miss Zaheda believes that getting education is not only for the sake of education itself, but for learning as well, and that every small step taken will be another risk to be prepared for after carefully planning. Although, this is the only school they’ve build presently, with her self-confidence, optimistic personality, and ability to dream big, she plans for much more ahead. For most of us, reaching to this level and doing so much as providing all these children education might be a little far-fetched; or so we tell ourselves. The truth is that there really is nothing stopping us from giving our all to stand that high up the ladder.
What was most enjoyable about this project was “seeing the development, progress and eventually a child with a confident smile makes me immensely happy.” I guess this is all the motivation needed when realizing the efforts of the volunteers, sponsors, and donors were all worth it. Having an exceptionally hard-working team, must definitely be a huge help in doing all that needs to be done... So no, it’s not just about doing all of these amazing things. It’s about going through the process to reach a goal that’s been so long waited for.
When asked for her inspiration, Miss Zaheda replied; “When I was a child, I used to see both my mother and father help the needy, be it at schools or hospitals, be it financially or morally.” She states that whatever she has done or will do is because of them and that not having the opportunity to complete her own education, this project was a go just as she`d thought of it.
Her toughest challenge was an answer many wouldn’t be surprised to hear; her gender. “being a woman in a mostly men dominated world has not been easy to overcome. However, self-confidence, hard work and not giving up has enabled me to overcome this challenge.” the key is, undoubtedly, commitment. With determination and a will to change things, everyone can make a difference.
And for advice for others planning on doing similar work, the answer was unsurprisingly, once again self-confidence, perseverance, and honesty. for the readers of this magazine, majorly teens, she advises to grab opportunities and give it our best, and be optimistic even when we fail. But most importantly, “never give up.” We are young, but that isn’t something that would pull us down. As youth, we could do just as much and maybe even more. If we put our heads into it, dreams would just be new goals.
‘Nothing in life is more satisfying than giving a hand to others when they need it the most.” -Zaheda Dewji. A quote well said that fits her only too well. There are several words that can be used to describe her, someone who never surrendered; an inspiration, a strong woman, but most of all, a leader. If we really open our eyes, dream bigger than ever, see how we don’t have any of the limitations we think we do, and that almost anything isn’t impossible, we could all be leaders.
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