Syeda Maisara Muzaffar: Fostering inclusion and empowering individuals
At only 19 years of age, Syeda Maisara Muzaffar is already an experienced volunteer. She has participated in Youth Parliament, UN Youth, and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her biggest and most impactful role is arguably as board member of not-for-profit charity Ubuntu Australia, which provides essential services to people in need.
Through Ubuntu Australia, Maisara facilitates English conversation classes for migrants, distributes emergency food hampers to people in need, supports seniors with digital literacy, and provides sanitary products to high schools in low socio economic areas. She also contributes to the multicultural youth sorority, multilingual book swap, and a read and write program. The group’s motto is ‘I am who I am because of who we all are together.”
Maisara has also planned and delivered a university information session connecting university students with ATAR students.
“Contributing to a community provides me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment,” says Maisara. “It allows me to feel connected to something larger which fosters a sense of meaning in my life. Actively contributing to community helps in building stronger and more cohesive societies. Shared efforts lead to the development of bonds, trust, and a collective identity, which can strengthen social structures.”
For her contributions to helping vulnerable people, Maisara was recognised as City of Gosnells’ 2024 Young Community Citizen of the Year.
If you know a young person making an impact in your local community, nominate them at citizenshipawards.com.au.
The Community Citizen of the Year Awards are supported by Department of Communities, 9 News Perth, 6PR Perth and WAtoday.