GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT
Aliya Karimjee, 16, has been named a recipient of the Diana Award for her volunteer work with the Equal Chance Foundation. Among other initiatives, Karimjee has raised almost $60,000 to help homeless Black families and refugees access food programs.
At 16, Aliya Karimjee has already done more to help others than many people do in a lifetime.
In the past year and a half alone, the Orléans teen raised almost $60,000 through the Equal Chance Foundation, to help homeless Black families and refugees access food programs, serving more than 10,000 meals and 15,000 food hampers.
She was also instrumental in launching the It Takes a Village program, also through Equal Chance, to provide assistance to low-income pregnant Black women and mothers. She was involved in an effort to collect and distribute more than 1,000 pairs of headphones to youths and families in temporary and emergency housing in Ottawa, vastly improving their online school experience during the pandemic.
Additionally, she took part in the holiday-season Gifts of Hope program, which provided hundreds of toys and food baskets to people in temporary housing and homeless shelters.
Last month, Karimjee was one of 315 youths worldwide to receive the 2021 Diana Award, given annually to nine- to 25-year-olds for social action and humanitarian work. Twenty of this year's recipients were from Canada, with Karimjee one of only two Ottawans honoured. The other was 16-year-old Avery Parkinson, who was cited for her efforts, through her MapleWishes Foundation, to rally Canadian
youths to provide food for those experiencing homelessness.
The U.K.-based award was established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and has the support of her brother, Charles Spencer, and sons William and Harry. It was first awarded in 1999, two years after Diana's death. Prince Harry spoke at this year's online ceremony on June 28.
“I'm so grateful to have received the award,” says Karimjee. “It's really motivating me to continue to promote equality in the community.”
Karimjee adds that much of her drive to help others was inspired by her father, Maz, and the difficulties he faced coming to Canada from Tanzania.
“It wasn't easy for him when he first arrived,” she says, “and
because of that I decided I really wanted to help others in their journey. I'm determined to live in a world where equality is a key element.”
Her benevolence has extended well beyond Equal Chance, to other events and charities, including Say No to Racism and One Voice campaigns. She has also volunteered at Rogers TV.
“Because of these experiences, I've recognized that it's really important that everyone has a voice and that they're given fair opportunities. It's also really rewarding to help people.”
Her entrance into the world of philanthropy came when she was in Grade 9 at Béatrice-Desloges secondary school in Orléans, where she is active on student council, helping welcome new arrivals.
“Once I started helping people, I didn't want to stop.”
Gwen Madiba, president of Equal Chance, describes Karimjee as a “spectacular young woman.”
“She always has her father's story at heart, and she wants to make sure that other people don't have to go through some of the hardships he went through.
“Her dedication and care for the families and children is remarkable,” she adds. “She really takes the time to sit with them, to speak with them, to listen to them. It's what we need and it's what they need, and it makes such a huge difference in their lives.”
Madiba says she hopes the recognition Karimjee has received through the Diana Award will prove contagious.
“I hope it will encourage other youths who are interested in social justice and social change to support members of various communities. Poverty affects all people, and it affects people deeply, so I hope others will be inspired by Aliyah's story.”