By Zara Khurana, Communications Generalist
Amina Osman is a refugee woman leader who possesses an unwavering dedication to making a positive impact within her community. She is the recipient of the Eyob G. Naizghi Scholarship presented at the MOSAIC Awards 2023 on June 15.
The Eyob G. Naizghi Scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship awarded to a female refugee for leadership development through education and training. It helps her pursue academic or vocational post-secondary education to support her future leadership aspirations in Canada. With a degree in International Relations, Amina intends to pursue a Master’s in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies from Oxford University. The Eyob G. Naizghi scholarship goes a long way in helping her pursue higher studies and continue to engage her passion for helping people in her community.
One significant way Amina channels her passion is through her volunteer work as a mentor for SheLeads, an organization focused on empowering young refugee women. In this role, she provides invaluable guidance and support, offering coaching in leadership development, social change, storytelling, writing, public speaking, advocacy, digital literacy, college applications, and project management.
Directly engaging with refugee girls facing multifaceted challenges, she finds immense fulfillment and enrichment in her involvement. Drawing from her own personal journey, she shares her story to inspire and empower these resilient young women, helping them navigate complex post-secondary education systems and access vital services.
Her community involvement has proven to be a reciprocal endeavour, as she gains valuable experiences and insights that shape her both personally and professionally. Witnessing the growth and transformation of the individuals she mentors reinforces her deep commitment to supporting and uplifting marginalized communities. These experiences also reinforce her resolve to overcome the intricate challenges she faced as a refugee, ultimately driving her to further her efforts in making a difference. Amina has demonstrated merit and has overcome significant hardship. She was born and raised in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi. She has faced numerous challenges, including displacement, trauma, discrimination, and the loss of both of her parents at a young age. Despite these challenges, she has continued to persevere and has demonstrated resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
Her aspiration to deepen her understanding of the issues faced by forced migrants remains unwavering. Armed with the knowledge, skills, and expertise gained from her studies, she hopes to create a positive impact not only within her community but also beyond its borders. Her passion for change and her commitment to fostering a more inclusive society continues to drive her toward her leadership aspirations in Canada’s immigration policies.
Throughout her journey, she has remained involved with Jumpstart since she embarked on her volunteer work in 2019. Her dedication to volunteering with SheLeads has allowed her to empower and mentor refugee women, nurturing their potential and facilitating their growth.
When asked how she feels, she says, “I’m so incredibly happy, hopeful, excited, and in disbelief. So happy to get that phone call.” She says that she got the phone call from MOSAIC at the exact time she gave up hope. Her friend started a Go Fund Me for her, but it wasn’t doing well. She says she has a long way to go but this award and scholarship from MOSAIC have reminded her that it is possible. “God works in mysterious ways. I really appreciate MOSAIC for this,” she said.
Congratulations to Amina as the recipient of the Eyob G. Naizghi Scholarship Award 2023!
Read more about the MOSAIC Awards.
