Podcast Summary
Stories of resilience and making a difference: Despite adversity, individuals can make a positive impact and businesses can find top talent on LinkedIn
No matter where you are in the world or what circumstances you're facing, there's always an opportunity to make a positive impact. This was evident in the stories shared in this special edition of the Happypod from the BBC World Service. Abdulahi Mire, a Somalian man who grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya, returned to give back by starting the refugee youth education hub. This project has distributed over 100,000 books and opened 3 libraries, providing children with the opportunity to learn and build a better future. Meanwhile, a young Congolese girl's fascination with electricity led her to study engineering and create a robotic arm to help medical professionals take blood from patients. And a woman who became an Olympic cyclist after fleeing Afghanistan is now the chief of her team at the Paris Games in 2024. These stories serve as reminders that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to make a difference. And for businesses looking to hire top talent, LinkedIn can be a valuable resource, as it connects you to professionals who might not be actively seeking new opportunities but are open to the perfect role. So whether you're looking to make a difference in the world or grow your business, remember that small details can make a big impact, and opportunities can be found in the most unexpected places.
Impact of Education and Books on Refugees' Lives: Education and books can transform the lives of refugees and children in need, unlocking opportunities and a brighter future.
Education and access to books can significantly impact the lives of refugees and children in need, opening doors to opportunities and a better future. Abdallah Himeadeh, a journalist and founder of a charity, has demonstrated this through his efforts in supplying over 100,000 books to refugees in Kenya and opening 3 libraries. One inspiring example is a girl who, with the help of a few biology books, is now on her way to becoming a doctor. Himeadeh's passion for education and belief in the power of books has led him to be this year's UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award Global Laureate. Similarly, Bernice Kula Kula, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has overcome language barriers and financial hardships to pursue a master's degree in computer engineering and make a difference through her innovative research projects. Their stories remind us that a single book and a child's determination can lead to remarkable achievements.
Growing up without electricity and a mother's advocacy for education shape her interests: Her personal experiences fueled her curiosity about electricity and passion for bringing power to underserved areas, leading her to pursue electrical engineering and now advocacy for refugee education.
The speaker's personal experiences, including growing up without electricity in Congo and having a mother who was a dedicated nurse and advocate for education in South Africa, have shaped her interests and motivations. She became an electrical engineering student out of curiosity about how electricity works and a desire to bring it to areas without power. Her final project was a robotic arm designed to help doctors and nurses find veins using near infrared light, and she is now focused on advocating for education for refugees, seeing it as a way to give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves and to tap into the hidden talents and contributions of refugees.
Refugee's Inspiring Journey to Find Hope and Purpose: Despite challenges and traumas, always believe in your abilities and never give up on your dreams
No matter the circumstances, everyone has the ability to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world. Wahid Arian, a refugee from Afghanistan, shares his experience of growing up during a civil war and finding hope and purpose in the tech industry. Despite the challenges and traumas he faced, he encourages young refugees, especially women, to persevere and believe in their abilities. He emphasizes the importance of hard work and resilience, and reminds them that they have a purpose in life. Arian's story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way to create a better future for oneself and others. So, never give up on your dreams, no matter the obstacles.
A Doctor's Journey to Founding a Mental Health Organization: A doctor's personal experience with PTSD led him to create Arian Well-being, offering psychological therapies and exercise to underserved populations, with a digital solution for global access.
Exercise and psychological therapies played a crucial role in helping a doctor, who was later diagnosed with PTSD, cope with his own mental health struggles. This experience led him to found Arian Well-being, which provides psychological therapies and exercise to people in need, including refugees, the homeless, and other hard-to-reach populations. The organization's innovative digital solution allows individuals around the world to connect with psychologists and therapists, regardless of their location. The service currently offers peer-to-peer support to clinicians and direct one-to-one service in the UK, with plans to extend this service globally. Arian Well-being has already made an impact by providing mental health support to clinicians in Afghanistan and other humanitarian organizations working with refugees. The founder's vision is to make mental health support accessible to anyone, anywhere, with just a click of a button. A memorable moment for the doctor was seeing an Afghan family he had supported, living freely and enjoying life despite their challenges.
Culturally appropriate mental health solutions: Doctor Wahid Arian emphasized reducing stigma and the challenge of implementing mental health solutions across cultures, while Santos Madhu shared his inspiring story of resilience and finding a sense of belonging through radio and football in refugee camps.
Mental health solutions need to be culturally appropriate and adaptable, as they cannot be one-size-fits-all. This was emphasized by Doctor Wahid Arian, who highlighted the importance of reducing stigma and the challenge of implementing mental health solutions across different cultures and regions. Meanwhile, Santos Madhu, a broadcaster from Ref FM, a radio station run by and for refugees across Africa, shared his inspiring story of resilience and finding a sense of belonging through radio. Santos, originally from South Sudan, found refuge in Kenya's Kakuma camp and discovered his passion for broadcasting. Through his work at Ref FM, he shares news and stories of resilience with his community, promoting unity and inspiring hope. Santos also highlighted the role of football in promoting unity and peace within refugee camps. His football program reaches a larger audience and provides a platform for refugees to showcase their talents and even move out of the camps through football opportunities. Overall, Santos' story underscores the importance of culturally sensitive and inclusive approaches to mental health and community building.
Refugee Olympic Team: Empowering Refugees Through Sports: The Refugee Olympic Team empowers refugees by providing opportunities to compete and build new lives through the transformative power of sports.
The Refugee Olympic Team provides a sense of belonging and empowers refugees through sports. Masama Ali Zada, a 27-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, shares her inspiring journey of pursuing her dream of competing in the Olympics despite facing challenges in her home country. The experience of being part of the team brought her hope and changed her life. Masama, now the chef de mission for the team, aspires to inspire and support other refugees and hopes for peace and freedom for her fellow women in Afghanistan. The Refugee Olympic Team, established in 2016, has provided opportunities for refugees to compete and build new lives. Masama's story highlights the transformative impact of sports on refugees and the importance of providing equal opportunities for all.
Intersection of urban engineering, sport, and refugee community: Through meaningful projects, the intersection of urban engineering, sport, and the refugee community can inspire hope and make a positive impact on the world. Students and professionals alike can make a difference by getting involved.
The intersection of urban engineering, sport, and the refugee community can lead to meaningful and impactful projects. Massimo Alizada, a student and master of urban engineering, is a testament to this as he works for the sport for refugees and serves as a cyclist and chef de mission for the Paris 2024 refugee Olympic team. This connection was further highlighted through the performance of Japanese singer-songwriter and guitarist, Miyavi, at the Nansen Refugee Awards. His song "Long Nights" was inspired by his visits to refugee camps around the world, and the multicolored cloak he wore during the performance symbolized hope and home for refugees. Moreover, businesses like Shopify and 1800flowers.com also play a crucial role in making a difference. Shopify helps businesses grow by providing a platform to sell at every stage, while 1800flowers.com delivers smiles by putting heart into every occasion. Through this episode, we learned that even in difficult times, believing in the power of hope and community can help us get through long nights. Let us continue to support initiatives that bring people together and make a positive impact on the world.
