By Guangke Dai, Communications Officer
Every year, the Eyob G. Naizghi Scholarship supports the education and training of a female refugee with future leadership aspirations. This $5,000 award aims to assist them in pursuing academic or vocational post-secondary education.
The 2024 recipient is Muhaddisa Sarwari, a 19-year-old Hazara youth activist from Afghanistan who has made significant strides as a refugee.
Before coming to Canada, Muhaddisa spent most of her life as a refugee “simply because of the place (she) was born in.” But she refused to let that define her. Five years in Indonesia without access to education or employment only strengthened this young girl’s determination to pursue her dreams despite the obstacles. Her resilience in the face of a seemingly hopeless reality and her unwavering dream of being able to attend school and build a future for herself are truly inspiring.
Muhaddisa is among those who were fortunate enough to leave Indonesia. Upon arriving in Canada at the end of 2019, she faced the challenge of navigating unfamiliar systems and often felt isolated. However, her curiosity and willingness to connect with others helped her overcome these difficulties. She believes in the power of asking questions and learning from others’ experiences, which played a crucial role in her adaptation and growth.
“I think that a lot of people underestimate the power of asking questions and how much you’re able to learn and grow just by learning about the perspectives and experiences of other people,” she shared.
As if her accomplishments are not impressive enough, Muhaddisa continues to lift others as she climbs. She wants to be “the person that I wish I had when I first arrived.”
Her advocacy work began with a deep desire to change the misconceptions surrounding refugees. “Refugees are not people who need your pity; they need your support and acceptance as they begin an entirely new life for themselves. I am the person I am today, with the big ambitions and goals, because of the struggles that I have endured as they have made me stronger and taught me the value of the small things in life,” she said.
Muhaddisa is deeply committed to supporting refugee women and advocating for Afghan women’s education. She is involved in the Youth Advocacy Network organized by Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, where she collaborates with other activists to make education a reality for Afghan women. Her activism led her to represent Afghan and refugee women’s concerns at the UN’s 68th Commission on the Status of Women in New York, where she spoke about the importance of education for refugee women and the need for more support and resources in this area.
In 2023, Muhaddisa delivered a TEDx talk titled “What It Takes To Be A Refugee,” where she shared her personal experiences and discussed how Canadians can support refugees. Her powerful speech inspired many young refugees to share their journeys, and she was featured on various media platforms to amplify refugee voices further.
Currently, Muhaddisa is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her firsthand experiences in a war-torn country have fueled her passion for studying political science, with a focus on human rights, refugee policies, and international law. She aims to continue her academic journey in law school and engage with policymakers to advocate for better resources and social integration measures for refugees.
MOSAIC is proud to celebrate her achievements and support her ongoing journey. We are delighted to see more young women emerging as leaders and advocates, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact Muhaddisa will continue to make in her community and beyond.
Read more about the MOSAIC Awards.
