Tough Upbringing Humbles Community Champion Winner

Having very little while being raised by a single parent has been one of the motivations for Anabel Ali to help those in need.

Being the eldest of three siblings, she shouldered many responsibilities to help her mother raise the family.

Now a group financial controller at Fiji Fish, Ms Ali continues to fulfil her passion for community work.

Last week she was awarded the Community Champion award at the Prime Minister’s Youth Awards.

This is her first time to win an award.

Community engagement

Ms Ali was involved in community work through the Leadership Fiji Programme.

While an alumni, she accredits the programme for grooming her passion for community work.

Ms Ali is also an active board member of WOWS Kids Fiji and Habitat for Humanity of Fiji.

“Whenever I see a family or children needing help, I always reel back into time being raised by a single parent,” she said.

“I put myself in their situation and I feel compassion for families and children struggling their way through life.”

Born and bred in Suva, Ms Ali is an accountant by profession and saw there was more to just sitting in front of a computer screen.

She said winning the community champion award was a great recognition for the small work she has

done over the years.

“It also means that there is a platform for more young champions to step up.

“There is no stronger sense of existing than doing good for your country.

“As young people we always say that we are not heard enough, no one will bring a microphone to you. You have to walk and work to

make change. Stop waiting for silver platters.”

Challenges

However, volunteering for community projects has its set of challenges.

She said managing the consistency and commitments of volunteers into programmes is one of the major set-backs.

“An example has been the Fiji Society for the Blind School “Monday” initiative that I have been part of,” she said.

“We started off with 10 very enthusiastic friends in early 2014. As of this date, I am the only one remaining to manage the Monday sessions.

“Another example has been with WOWS Kids Fiji where we started creating recruiting volunteers for different activities. Out of the 100 or so expressions received, only five would turn up to help at any event.”

Ms Ali dedicates the award to her mother Mooka Ben.

Photo: Leon Lord. Anabel Zareen Ali (second from left) with the community champion award flanked by Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Commerce & Trade, Tourism and Transport Shaheen Ali (far left) , Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Koya and ANZ (Fiji) Head of Centralized Lending and Corporate Sustainability Sitiveni Marovia during the Prime Ministers Youth Awards at the Grand Pacific Hotel on May 6,2022.