Malaika is a second year Sauder student from Tanzania.
Malaika believes empowerment of women is not merely about women’s liberation, it is a declaration of the possibilities that open up for a world that decries gender bias and allows for a balance of energies that supports new age thinking.
Malaika and International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day she is celebrating Aung San Suu Kyi, Oprah Winfrey, and her own grandmother, among many others. She says, “the entire planet seems to be breathing a new energy!” She believes that there is this new, evolving world opinion allowing a greater voice for women across all sections of society and that this is to be celebrated. Victor Hugo said: “There is no force so powerful as an idea whose time has come!” The idea has arrived and the time is now.
Malaika and Passions
Born in India and raised in Tanzania, Malaika’s deepest longing is to be able to contribute her efforts, talent, energies into humanitarian work and sustainable projects. ‘The Tanzania Heart Babies Project’ that she was fortunate to initiate on campus with fellow UBC students, enables her to channel her passion for alleviating human suffering. The project raises funds for open-heart surgeries for Tanzanian children born with congenital heart defects, giving them a new lease of life.
Information about Tanzania Heart Babies:
“The Tanzania Heart Babies Project is a poignant story of the plight of children suffering from congenital heart defects in Tanzania. Having lived in Tanzania for most of my life and having had the opportunity to complete my higher education in Vancouver, it is hard for me to visualize a world where children would die needless deaths even before the age of 21. Children in Tanzania suffering from congenital heart diseases die premature deaths because of lack of finance and unavailability of pediatric cardiac surgery facilities. As a passionate team of students from across 7 countries and 4 different continents, we have gathered together to champion this noble cause, share the stories of these children, and strive to add a chapter to the life books of these children. This is for their family, their friends, and for those who deeply care about these children suffering from heart crippling diseases.” – Malaika Kapur
To find out more about Malaika’s fantastic, life-changing project check out their website.