Hadiyah Khan

High school is almost over.

Now, I believe I am just left with a bunch of jumbled thoughts mostly clinging to my past, but also looking forward to the next chapter. These 4 years whizzed by so fast, and before I knew it… I had grown up. Looking back to who I was 4 years ago, many people may not see it, but I believe I have definitely changed.

Coming into RHS, I was a very shy, and quiet person who did not show her true self to the people around her. I stayed away from the big crowds, and kept to my small group of friends- still keeping my wall up. Looking back, I guess I was very self-conscious of myself, and afraid of what others thought of me. Everyone else seemed a lot more interesting, with amazing talents, and super cool stories of great experiences in their lives. I guess I carried my wall, all the way up until grade 11- where I realized that all those ideas were just dumb. I had pretended to be someone I was not, all throughout my high school experience, and in result- it held me back from many things.

I feel fortunate to have been apart of Global because I know it helped me a whole lot. I finally began to release myself from my shell, as I got to know different people in my grade. One thing that will always stick out to me from my journey is, the more wiser individuals from our group, constantly telling us to go after what  want, otherwise the opportunity will pass us by, and we’ll be left sitting in a huge puddle of regret. I’m taking this piece of advice to heart. Being shy from the world is not who I am- nor will I ever let it be apart of me. Now, the next chapter of my life opens many windows to really becoming who I am. Whatever school I choose to go into, or whatever career I decide to pursue, I know it will always be a fresh start. In turn, I plan on just being me.

- Hadiyah

I have not blogged in awhile because well… upon returning home from my amazing adventure in Fiji, I have been a bit lost. I have tried to gather my thoughts with some other classmates,  and although it helps, I cannot completely get a full containment of my thoughts. It’s a bit weird, I know. What was comforting however, was continuing to write in my journal that I took along with me to record my time in Fiji. Adding to the pages almost feels like the journey is still at a full go, and wow that feel is just great.

I learned so much about people in general, on the trip. The many amazing Fijians in my class are even more beautiful when you really get to know them. What I initially perceived of them from the outside, from just small talk in the halls before the trip, was just nice people. But our journey has really proved to me that what you see is not what you get when it comes to people. Sharing the experiences, I feel has made me close to my classmates, but as a whole has transformed us into a family. Just by one look, sometimes i feel like we have a mutual understanding. it just goes to show that these new-found bonds will never break. What is unfortunate however, is that now with our lives thrown back at us, here in Richmond, everyone including myself, has become occupied. I miss the carefree days where math, work, drama, and stress did not exist. That was the time where we really got to know each other for who we really are. We also had time on our side, and it felt like we had tons of it. I remember laying in bed in a hotel in Fiji thinking that the next day, I will talk to someone new and get a feel of what they’re feeling. But soon enough, there were no more “tomorrows.” Sometimes I feel like I won’t get to talk to my peers like that once again, now with exams and other things coming up, but it’s a struggle I think we are all going through at this point. I miss everyone.

Today is actually pretty sad for me. It is our last work day, and I feel like I really connected with a lot of people. And then it makes me think about tomorrow, which will be our closing ceremony. I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to everyone I have befriended here, and instead I really want to stay here forever. But the whole thing gives me incentive to return to this village one day, and somewhat relive my experience this week.

Yesterday, before we arrived to the worksite in the morning, we made a pit stop at the local Indian Private School. It was interesting to see a developing elementary school with so many different children, both Native and Indian all mingling together as equals. I also compared that elementary school with the ones we have back in Vancouver and realized that it was not too different. That one private school had very little funding by the Fijian government but the headmaster made a point that they still achieve what they aim to do- educate the children. This trip has really made me understand the importance of education- just by seeing these kids here on the site. When you really think about it, they do not have the wide range of opportunities that we have after graduating from high school. Nonetheless they still attend school to receive some kind of education in hopes of achieving their dreams. It takes a lot of drive and ambition to get to the top, and that is exactly what these kids need to both have and understand. I just wish I could personally take all of these kids with me so they can receive the kind of education we sometimes take for granted. The world would be a better place that way.

Today, I got to experience being a dental assistant- which I found really rewarding. I am usually really scared of needles and blood, and prefer to hide from anything related to the insides of the human body. But, I pulled it together today because I thought that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a very rare way to help out the people in this village. And now, I am proud to say that I became stronger, and did not scream or squeal from the sight of blood or even while the dentist stitched up the mouth! It makes me feel really good inside that I personally helped many people (and created bonds in a way), as well as grow as a person. This is something very special, and I hope to carry the experience all throughout my life.

The sign to put up onto the building has just been finished by a very talented student in our class, and now I shall take part in watching it be placed on the community centre. I miss everyone back at home, and I hope to provide some more updates soon!

Love Hadiyah

Today’s events are going to be very different than the normal work days that we have been experiencing. Well we are not going to be working at all- which I am pretty bummed about because the building is sitting right next to me, and I am feeling a need to hammer some nails into it. Right now however, the sacrifice of a goat is taking place- in the honor of our group. Although everyone keeps saying that it is a learning experience to watch the goat be put down and that it is good to know where your food comes from, I personally could not watch a living, breathing, animal just die like that. I am aware that in a couple hours, that meat will be cooked, and will be placed on a plate in front of me, but I do not know how I will react then. It is just different when you go to a butcher store and buy the meat, than having it come right from the source and completely fresh, and knowing that the animal was alive earlier in the day. Yesterday, I was asked how the experiences in the village was impacting me, and I had a hard time answering the question because I didn’t really have time to think about it. If my family had stayed in Fiji, and still lived on the farm that I was told about, I would have to embrace the idea of killing animals for food- to the point where it became normal to me. I would have to have to take part of the duties of physical labor that comes with being a girl in a village. Having experienced the life I have now, in Vancouver, I believe it would take me a really long time to adjust to this kind of lifestyle that is so normal to the people surrounding me right now. After the killing of the goat, there was a huge change of events. We hiked up to Vijay Singh’s house (Deep’s uncle) as well as another family member’s house, and celebrated the Festival of Color- known as holi. I have seen this celebration take place in movies and such and always thought it would be a fun experience to somewhat celebrate. And since this is a trip of many firsts, we threw some colored dye around and it was really enjoyable. The group also provided us with some tribal music and dancing. I believe the whole holi celebration brought us all closer together as a group, even though no one really understood or knew why the celebration was taking place. But then again, we were just in it for the fun. Also, spending time with the villagers and becoming close to some of the elders like Vijay, has really made me think about my family back at home. These people are so close knit together all throughout the village, which is similar to the kind of bond my family has. And since this is my first time travelling alone without any family, I feel like I am becoming more independent and also having the element of family within the Global group, as well as within the Singh family. It’s something really special and I wish my family at home were here to experience it with me. The bonds here are something so unexplainable- to the point where my family and friends back at home will never be able to understand no matter how hard I try to make them understand. I know both my parents worked really hard to make this trip possible for me so they deserve to be here to experience these connections I am making with these people. And it is just unfortunate that they will never know the full extent of how much fun I am having, or even get to experience this beautiful landscape that I get to see every time I do a 360 turn. I do however intend to come back to this site and share a glimpse of my experience with them. I miss my family a lot and cannot wait to see them very soon. After the celebration for holi, we also took a long hike- something that seemed like it would go on forever, and finally arrived to the top to a very rewarding view. We overlooked the entire village, the ocean, our work site, and many lush green hills and valleys. I remember being very serene on that hill- a feeling I plan to cherish forever. And although I took pictures, the image will only look fresh and complete in my mind. I just wish I could experience a view like that everyday. I feel like a lucky girl to be experiencing this moment right now, with these people, and a great state of mind.

Travelling for 42 hours with an insanely out of control cough, and overcrowded vehicles was definitely an experience I will never forget. Arriving to the village however, made me forget about all the troubles that we faced, and allowed me to concentrate on the moment. The opening ceremony outlined the two different cultures that make up the village of Wavuwavu. The one thing that I love the most is the fact that the villagers always have big smiles, and are generally very heartwarming. I don’t think I will be able to understand how everyone is always so happy, and how they can say hi to you as if they have known you your entire life. It’s pretty amazing, and I think we are lucky to be apart of such a culture that we can learn from. On a lighter note, the weather is crazy hot!! Step outside your building, and next thing you know- you’re already drenched in sweat. I guess it’s all apart of the experience right. I cannot wait to learn all about this place, and slowly I am determined to become an expert!

Friday was a very special day because former RHS students that were apart of Global, came to class in order to share their experiences with us. I found this very helpful by getting a little taste of what is to come in the next couple weeks. What I noticed from what the students shared with us is that Global Perspectives acted as a window into many possibilities for each of their futures. Most of them began to travel straight out of highschool which may have been something they probably would not have considered without embarking on their own journeys in grade 12. Their forms of travelling, however, were more geared into ”finding themselves”. Before being apart of Global, I personally would never have linked the idea of growing as a person with the idea of travelling. I used to think the only purpose to travel abroad, was to sight-see and indulge in a vacation. I now see that there is so much more to it such as, experiencing different cultures, meeting new people and learning from them, gaining a new perspective on life, and basically break out of the shell that can confine a person in the place they grew up in. By listening to experiences in the past trips, I became even more eager to travel to Fiji and create my own. Another thing that stood out that day was the discussion on the idea that once you’re away from home, you leave your past behind you and focus on what is happening within the moment. I think this is one of the best peices of advice that I have gained so far, and hope to utilize it the best I can when I am in Fiji. 23 more days to go!!!

-Hadiyah

Living in Canada has allowed me to accept the many different cultures as well as experience my own culture in a unique way. My parents were both born in Fiji and moved to Canada at a very young age. I feel that I am fortunate to have had them grow up in a place that is very multicultural because it has helped me become an open-minded person. My roots however, will never be taken away from me. I personally wish I had the great opportunity to experience the Fijian culture at first hand, and in the actual country, rather than just be invlolved with it at home.

I feel like what I have here in Canada however, is something that I cannot get anywhere else. My culture ties in with others, and seeing other cultures also impacts me. The expectations are still high, to carry out the cultural aspects outside of my home, and I carry them out as well as I can because it is who I am. I personally believe in doing however much I can, by making choices that I feel will benefit me. I carry these expectations on my own. Such include trying my best in my studies, dressing modestly, as well as being true to who I am and who I want to be. My Fijian heritage plays a huge role, as I value everything that has been passed down from generations, right up to me. I plan to carry it out, with an open mind to soaking in other cultures as well as being true to my own.

-Hadiyah

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
(Martin Buber)

In the case of embarking on a journey, we all have a clear objective and a definate destination. We are headed to Fiji, to build a school and change the lives of the people living in the village of Wavu Wavu. But with this journey, there is as much in it for us as individuals as there is for the village. We do not know what exactly we are walking into and the real situatiuons we will deal with. We don’t know what we will learn, and how we will learn it. But in the end, each and every one of us will return back with more than just blisters on our hands, and tanned skin. I believe the quote is trying to throw light upon the idea that by the end of any journey, we would have arrived in many different destinations right up until the very end. These “destinations” are actually the build up of educational life experiences that we will cherish for forever.

-Hadiyah

“Imagine a life worth placing long-term goals. A life with room to make choices of our own. A life with smiles on the faces of the people we love. A place of peace, comfort and tranquility.. a home. Imagine some form of education. Imagine understanding. Imagine having a voice.”

We take for granted the life that we live, and then are left only to imagine what it may be like on the other end. The life of a child barely surviving in the ruthless reality of poverty, is an idea that can break a heart only by receiving 1 minute of the inside scoop.

Children born into the less fortunate nations sometimes take on the role of an adult right down to the ripe of 6, in which they are needed to provide income for their family. With limited opportunities, some are forced into immoral practices of “work”, that is difficult to wrap one’s head around. These forms of child labour include child trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation, producing and trafficking drugs, unsafe practices, and even prostitution. Each and every one slowly removes the “life” that a young child needs to have growing up. At the same time, each and every one exemplifies the pain inflicted within the child both mentally, and in most cases, physically. But this is just what we can imagine. What hurts me the most personally, is the fact that there are heartless people out there in this world that encourage such practices as if it were nothing. A nasty feeling forms in the pit of my stomach and leaves an overal sense of disgust just knowing how far people can manipulate others to get what they want and simultaneously neglecting their sense of morality. People living in poverty resort to different forms of “jobs” because they are desperate for money to survive, and in many cases, lack the education to know any better. But for others to involve themselves and even provide an opportunity for jobs such as child prostitution, and sexual exploitation, is equally as bad as slowly eroding a baby’s life.

As a young woman, I feel fortunate to live in a society where there are laws to protect me, and at the same time have access to education and a shot at every single “dream job.” I also have a voice in my own country- something that I plan on using to make a difference to better impact other girls that only hope for a better life.

Much love, Hadiyah

With the records of literacy rates throughout the countries of the world, I observed that in most cases the female literacy rate tend to be a little less than the literacy rate of males. Although it is understandable that certain countries have different cultures where women provide their time and care at home, I still believe it to be unfair. Everyone has the right to an education, and being a certain gender should never prevent access to it. The quality of education in different countries also vary from different levels- meaning the education a certain country receives may not even be very advanced in the first place. And with the women at a lower rate, does not even mean much. Men and women should be equal for the most part throughout the world, especially when it comes to education. Today, in Canada, it is very difficult to make a living with only a highschool diploma. This case must be 10times worse in third world countries where people already struggle with just living- relying on the education passed down through generations. It should not be like this, and it is very unfortunate that some people deem it as okay.

- Hadiyah