Cheers greet young Afghan refugee’s ‘emotional moment’ at Ottawa school
When Roya Shams crossed the stage to accept her high school diploma on Saturday, the “emotional moment” for this inspiring young woman from Afghanistan was met with a chorus of cheers.
It’s been less than three years since the19-year-old fled Kandahar City to continue her education after the Taliban killed her father, a district police commander.
The Star’s Paul Watson first met Roya back in 2010 and learned of her dream to finish high school and attend university. Two years later, he helped her escape the Taliban heartland so she could “continue her education free from war and oppression.”
Several Star staff — including editor Michael Cooke, who also helped bring Roya to Canada — celebrated her graduation from Ottawa’s Ashbury College boarding school this weekend. Roya says her family in Afghanistan couldn’t be there for the big day, but her “Canadian family” was by her side.
“I just want to thank everyone,” she said over the phone from Ottawa. “They made my dream come true, and I’m hoping to make other people’s dreams come true.”
A scholarship to attend the University of Ottawa this fall may help her do just that.
The $20,000 scholarship, awarded in the name of the late Rev. Father Roger Guindon, will fund Roya’s studies in international development, with a minor in international law.
Roya hopes to give back, “educating young women and girls, and giving them the opportunities I’ve had,” she said.
She wants to eventually work in troubled countries, with a focus on gender equality.
“So many people have played such a huge role in my life,” Roya said.
“If I can be an individual in society to change people’s lives, by all means, that’s my intention. I’m looking forward to it.” Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, a registered charity, is handling tax-deductible donations to The Roya Fund. The charity accepts cheques, written to CW4WAfghan and specifying on the memo line that the donation is for The Roya Fund.
The mailing address is: Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan PO Box 86016 Marda Loop, Calgary, AB T2T 6B7 With files from Paul Watson