AV俱乐部

Informatics and IDS student Amina Abawajy. (Nick Pearce photo)

For the final year of a degree that combines Informatics and International Development Studies, Amina Abawajy decided she鈥檇 get more involved in the Dal community. In doing so, she鈥檚 made an impact on communities halfway around the world.

Last fall, Amina discovered that a food crisis in Ethiopia, where both of her parents were born, had left 4.5 million people in need of emergency relief 鈥� a number that was projected to rise to 15 million within a few months.

As alarmed as she was to learn of the crisis, Amina was equally discouraged to realize that the story had been largely ignored and under-reported. She was inspired to raise both funds for the victims of famine and awareness of their plight within the Halifax community where she was born and raised.

鈥淓ven if it鈥檚 just in the local community, I wanted to bring light to the issue,鈥� Amina says.

Her efforts began in October with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign, dubbed聽, which has brought in more than $3,000 to date and earned coverage from local media outlets.

鈥淚t鈥檚 our online presence,鈥� says Amina of the GoFundMe campaign. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an easy method for people to donate. But it鈥檚 just one part of the initiative.鈥�

Surpassing her goal

In fact, while the online campaign has helped to extend the reach of the fundraising drive, Amina has arguably created even more awareness 鈥� and has certainly generated more donations 鈥� through hands-on activities such as bake sales, traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies and a major fundraising dinner hosted at Dal in January.

The dinner, which featured authentic Ethiopian cuisine, was moved from its scheduled date due to a winter storm. This last-minute change convinced Amina that it might not be realistic to meet her goal of 200 attendees. She was happily surprised.

鈥淭he event was mind-blowing,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e had over 400 people. We had to bring extra tables. It was an incredible turnout.鈥�

All told, Amina鈥檚 fundraising activities have resulted in more than $26,000 in donations, well above her initial goal of $15,000. Those who came to the January dinner event got a glimpse of how the money is being put to use, with footage chronicling the first food delivery associated with the campaign. To Amina, effective aid means partnering with both non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community leaders from the affected areas of Ethiopia.

鈥淲e believe that we need to respect the leadership, expertise and knowledge of the people in the affected communities. That was central to this project,鈥� Amina explains.

鈥淲ith the NGOs we鈥檙e determining gaps in services and what they鈥檝e been able to do. With the community elders we鈥檙e determining what the needs are for that community. We鈥檙e hoping to make an impact that鈥檚 culturally relevant and culturally appropriate.鈥�

The first food delivery addressed malnutrition in children and pregnant and breastfeeding women. It consisted of milk, dates and nutritional biscuits made in Ethiopia. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 going back to the idea of supporting the local communities,鈥� Amina says.

鈥淲e were very excited to showcase that delivery at the fundraising dinner and show people where their money鈥檚 going and the impact it has.鈥�

Building a respectful culture

Leaning on the knowledge and ideas of the people affected by the famine is just one example of Amina鈥檚 dedication to the principles of respect, inclusion and cultural understanding. She is also part of a committee for Dal鈥檚聽聽initiative, has volunteered at the AV俱乐部 Student Union鈥檚聽聽and currently works at the聽.

鈥淎ll these issues are important to me, so it wasn鈥檛 a matter of if I would get involved, but how,鈥� Amina says.

Amina is also president of Dal鈥檚聽聽student society, which has helped with fundraising events for the Not 15 Million campaign, and a member of the聽.

If her goal was to get more involved, it鈥檚 difficult to see how Amina could have been any more successful.

鈥淚t鈥檚 something I would advise any student to do. It builds a sense of community, a sense of belonging and a sense of the bigger picture beyond academia.鈥�