I’m a 15-year-old teenager from Sudan. I’m a Year 11 student living in Doha, Qatar. Change is my last name, not the fact that I inherited it but because I found the beauty in its impact. Three years ago, I transferred from one curriculum to another.

“Silence and Warped minds” was all I ever imagined in a school filled with facts being challenged instead of initial thoughts. I refused to fall victim to a system that does worse than destroy education instead it changes it for the worse. I saw education as ideas generated when a challenging question is asked, not a lecture.

Later on I found a way to shift education for myself, ask questions, bring in bigger ideas and not only study for an exam, but study to learn more. So I thought to myself why not do it for others too? Education isn’t about regurgitating the past, but using the past to build a better future for everyone. I’m excited to begin this new journey with Teach For All.

Healthcare or physical health was often overlooked by my community. Too often, we found ourselves standing by while a classmate was injured, unsure of what to do until professional help arrived. My friend, Manal, and I turned our concern into action by launching… Lifeline.

Lifeline’s a youth-led health-awareness, first aid and emergency response initiative that aims to equip students with the knowledge, confidence and hands-on skills to take action in the critical seconds before help arrives. As a founder and a student, Lifeline showed me the importance of taking initiative. As an honored SLAC member, I will use my voice, my power and my talents to hopefully make a bigger impact on Teach For All.