Stories of Change: Asiya
My name is Asiya, and I sought refuge in Malaysia for more than a decade. I’ve been displaced since I was eight years old, so for much of my life, that’s been my reality until last year, when I finally made it to Canada. Living as a refugee in Malaysia and more broadly just as someone who has been displaced for most of their life, I was constantly surrounded by people from all walks of life. That experience shaped me deeply. I met communities with different languages, traditions, and beliefs and through all of it, I began to understand just how powerful human connection can be.
One of the biggest parts of my journey has been volunteering. I volunteered so much that I eventually burnt out. But if I’m honest, I didn’t start volunteering because I was naturally generous or kind. I started because of what others had done for me. When my family was struggling when we were at our most helpless, there were people who stepped in to help. That changed everything for me. I remember not being allowed to attend public school. At that time, a group of Christian women started a small community school. They offered us free education, taught us, and most importantly, invested their time and energy into us. After being shut out by so many systems, their willingness to show up for us meant everything.
Their kindness stayed with me. It made me realize how deeply someone’s time, presence, and care can impact another person’s life. That realization became the reason I started volunteering because I wanted to be that person for someone else. I wanted to give back, to use the skills and time I had for the benefit of others, just as someone once did for me. Looking back, those years of volunteering didn’t just allow me to contribute to the community. I also grew as a person. I developed strength, empathy, patience, and a much deeper understanding of the world around me. Despite the challenges, those moments taught me how to be a more compassionate, tolerant human being.
I first heard about the Azalea Initiative through my sister, Lema. What touched me most was seeing how much the program changed Lema. She’s always been friendly, but she never really had close friends who checked in on her. After Azalea, she had people texting, laughing with her, and truly caring. Saturdays became something she looked forward to. Seeing her so much happier and more connected showed me that this program wasn’t just about learning and just witnessing her joy, it was all the evidence I needed. I knew this program wasn’t just about skills or knowledge. It was about healing. It was about growth.
When I finally joined, I found myself looking forward to Saturdays too. My journey began to feel a little less lonely. The Azalea group became my safe space, just like it was for my sister. Even without speaking too many words, we could understand one another. We came from different backgrounds, but our experiences overlapped in ways that connected us deeply. Listening to other women’s stories inspired me. Some of them had faced even more difficult circumstances than I had, yet they showed up week after week with strength and resilience. Some traveled from really far just to be there, and it reminded me of how powerful that shared space was.
Being in Azalea helped me feel seen and understood. I felt happier, more connected to the people I was helping, and more confident in what I had to offer. The way the program was designed gave everyone space to share and reflect. We were encouraged, supported, and given time to process what we heard and felt. That care, that structure, and that sense of community made all the difference for me.
I think Azalea is the perfect platform for change-making because it reminds you that change doesn’t have to start on a big stage. A changemaker doesn’t work in isolation. When you have the right group of people supporting you, who really see you and believe in your growth, you feel stronger stepping out into the world to make a difference.
What makes Azalea special is that it’s not just about external change, it’s also about internal transformation. I was exposed to different personalities, and sometimes you’re even pushed out of your comfort zone into roles you wouldn’t usually take on. That’s where the growth happens. We also had to learn how to really listen. Especially when we didn’t agree. Yes, there were moments where we “kidnapped” each other here and there figuratively, of course but that was part of the process. It taught us tolerance. It helped me understand that just because something has always felt “right” to me doesn’t mean it’s right for someone else. Azalea helped me hold space for multiple truths and that’s what real leadership is about.
The Azalea program inspired me to never forget, not just the struggles of others, but my own. It taught me that these experiences aren’t things to be hidden or ashamed of. They’re part of who I am. They’ve shaped me. And now, they fuel my drive to give back and help improve the lives of others. The impact doesn’t end when a session ends or even when someone relocates. The ripple effects continue.
I’m in a new place now, and I find myself wondering how I can start something like Azalea here. How can I be that person for someone else? One day, I hope I can give back not just through my time, but as a funder too because I’ve seen the kind of difference it makes. Programs like Azalea don’t just create temporary change. They spark a transformation that lasts and that’s why I truly hope the support for Azalea continues.
