Elaaf Siddiqui admits she wasn't fully aware of the Syrian crisis while attending Chatham-Kent Secondary School, but that all changed in her final year.
"I took a course in equity, and the entire moral of the course was to get out and make a difference. So that class really encouraged me, it wasn't a class anymore for me. I just wanted to think of an idea of how to help people in our community," says the 18-year-old.
From there, Siddiqui joined multiple clubs, including the Gay/Straight Alliance and Global Voices. She was able to educate her peers about the situation in Syria, obtaining sponsorship support for refugees.
Now the YMCA is honouring her and two other Southwestern Ontario residents with their Peace Medallion Awards.
Phil Hime, father of Emily Hime, speaks at the YMCA Peace Medallion Ceremony, November 23, 2016 (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
The other nominee is Emily Hime, founder of "Hime For Help." Among the organization's numerous projects is the operation of a children's orphanage in Haiti, and the support of a tent city in the same country.
Her father Phil accepted Hime's medallion on Wednesday.
"I just block out all the negative thoughts of being in a country where there's really no law and order," Hime says regarding his daughter's missions outside of Canada. "You have to block that out and just think positive and know she's going to be okay."
Sarnia Rotary Member Mike Hurry was the third recipient of this year's YMCA Peace Medallion.
