Jannat Follows Family TradItion Of Giving Back

After completing her HSC at Hennessy Catholic College and winning the Helen Handbury Leadership Award last year, Jannat Bakri went on to study speech pathology at the University of Sydney, but not before selflessly giving back to those less fortunate than herself.

“In February I went to Lebanon and I spent two weeks and volunteered in a Syrian refugee program,” Miss Bakri said. “I taught basic English phrases like, “My name is…” and how to respond to simple questions.”

“I used some of the scholarship money to buy the children presents at the end.”

“I feel like I have an obligation to give back because if my parents hadn’t made the decision to move here I could have been them.”

Miss Bakri said that it was common practice for her family to give back to the community over the years and that she always knew that she wanted to do something along the same lines professionally.

She hopes to graduate and travel to at least five more countries in the next five years, and volunteer in communities less fortunate than her own.

There are numerous programs run by Australia’s universities which allow them to travel and volunteer in other countries and practice their newly acquired skills.

Ultimately, she would like to find employment in the Sydney area once she graduates.

• Topics:

• Education
• Community