Mona Youth Ambassadors: Youth Can Change the World!

At Mona Foundation, we believe youth can change the world. This isn't just a platitude. It is the very reason that our mission to create justice and alleviate poverty focuses on educating and empowering young people around the world. It is also the reason we launched the Mona Youth Ambassador Program in August 2021. Open to all tweens, teens, and young adults who are passionate about building a better world, Mona Youth Ambassadors engage with their peers at school, in their communities, and through social media to:

• Help spread awareness about Mona's mission,
• Promote the power of education, and
• Support Mona's grassroots partners to educate kids and empower girls around the world.
  

In the program's first year, nearly 40 young people, ages 11 to 30, have signed up as Youth Ambassadors from around the world, including Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Somalia, Tanzania, and the United States. 

To celebrate the program's One Year Anniversary, we talked with one of our first Youth Ambassadors, Nessa Samimi (15), about her involvement with Mona Foundation and what living a life of service means to her. Nessa and her family live in Southern California where she is entering her freshman year of high school. Excerpts from our conversation are shared below. Perhaps her story and comments will inspire you to become a Mona Youth Ambassador too!

MF: Why did you decide to become a Mona Youth Ambassador ?

Nessa:  I realized that this was a position where I could further my leadership abilities and also have more opportunities to draw others into the work Mona is doing. I think that this is so important because youth are the future. I love showing other youth what Mona is about and inviting them to join in.

MF: Earlier this year, you started a very successful fundraiser for the first annual Move4Mona 5K Walk/Run in support of education and gender equality. How did you invite others to join in? 

Nessa: To start with, I wrote an email about my experience with Mona, for example, visiting the Badi School in Panama, how I became really invested with Mona Foundation, and how I realized the beauty of this foundation in supporting women and children all over the world. I talked about how important that was for me and how with this title of "Youth Ambassador" I could really bring out my full potential and be able to advocate for Mona and raise money. So my whole email was based around those points. I sent it to family and to friends that I knew would be interested in this walk and would want to be a part of it. Twenty-five (25) people donated to my walk and five of my friends signed up to do the 5K with me.

MF: Were you surprised by the response?

Nessa: Honestly, I was! My original goal was $1,000 and I went over that, so Mahnaz [Mona founder and CEO Mahnaz Javid] said that she would raise it to $2,000. Honestly, I didn't  think I was going to get to $2,000 but I went over that too! It was a proud and happy moment for me.

MF: How did your Move4Mona walk go?

Nessa: It was good! We set up a table along Mission Bay with Mona pamphlets and with envelopes for $7 monthly donations. Most of us walked the 5K but some girls also wanted to run. So we really made the most out of it. We had a lot of fun, we talked, we got our exercise in, we did the 5K, and we hung out afterwards. It was a really enjoyable experience!  After the walk, I encouraged my friends to become a monthly donor as a great way to stay involved with the foundation. As a monthly donor, you are educating a kid somewhere in India for example. It's intimate. It's such a good feeling.

MF: Are you involved in other service activities in your community?

Nessa: My mom and I are part of this organization called National Charity League that provides opportunities for  moms and daughters to do community service for nonprofits. For example, I have volunteered with Meals on Wheels. Doing community service is such a good way to get to know the community more. Now that I have been a part of this group for three years I'm thinking of how to introduce Mona into this organization to raise more money for Mona as well. 

MF:  What does living a life of service mean to you and why do think it is it important?

Nessa:  I think serving others is so important in order for this world to progress and for there to be unity. We all have to come together. We all have to help each other. Doing community service and being part of organizations that help others is a step to reaching that vision. I can't speak for anyone else but when I am being of service I feel so good about myself.  Like the Move4Mona walk, for example. I was like, "Wow, I'm 15 years old and I just raised $2,600!"  I can make a difference not just in my community but also in the world!  I feel so good knowing that an effort I've made has changed someone’s day or even changed someone else’s life. Even small efforts make a difference. From raising money to delivering meals to people, you're making a change -- today and into the future.

MF: What would you say to encourage other youth who are thinking about signing up to be a Mona Youth Ambassador?

Nessa: I would say 100% do it! Not only are you creating opportunities for young kids and inspiring other youth to be role models, you will also meet other people who joined Mona for possibly the same reason as you and you can create really good friendships. Also, if you are someone like me who enjoys making people's days, who enjoys bringing joy to people's lives, and making a difference in the world, then this program is for you! I mean, it's really changed my life and made me a better person. So I would say 100% do it, just do it!

If you are passionate about Mona's mission and are between the ages of 11-30, our Youth Ambassador program is for you!  Sign up here.