Volunteer Name: Shaahin Sayani
Location: Southeast USA
Task: Ensured all logistics including facilities and resources were available for jamati members to get their General Educational Development (GED) diplomas.
Impact Made:
- 86% of the 500 GED program participants were able to graduate with a GED diploma.
- Motivated and assisted individuals like Doulat Delawalla who at age 77 earned her GED diploma
Full Story:
Mawlana Hazar Imam has emphasized life-long learning, gaining knowledge about Allah’s creation and serving the community. The Quality of Life’s (QOL) initiative to provide General Educational Development (GED) classes has enabled Jamati members to pursue all three of these goals in one program. The GED exam tests proficiency in science, mathematics, social studies, reading, writing and is considered equivalent to a high school diploma in the United States and Canada. Many QOL initiatives in the US have been successful, in large part, due to the significant commitment and valuable contribution of Time and Knowledge Nazrana (TKN) volunteers. Through 2014, the QOL team has utilized 359 TKN volunteers in their programs.
In the Southeast USA Region alone, 86% of the 500 GED program participants, whose ages ranged from 20 to 85, were able to graduate with a GED diploma. The motivation for these students included completing an unfinished degree or laying down the foundation to pursue additional degrees. Jamati members who volunteered to teach these classes were students and professionals familiar with the American high school education system. All participants - staff, teachers, and students had inspiring stories to tell.
Shaahin Sayani was one of these dedicated volunteers and has been involved with the QOL’s GED initiative since its early beginnings. “We had a soft launch with two classes in Atlanta in February of 2013 before we launched the full program in the Southeast,” recalls Shaahin. As the head of logistics, Shaahin was responsible for ensuring that facilities and resources were available for the three-hour classes that were held three times a week. Since the GED initiative was launched, beginner courses have been offered to GED graduates in accounting, health and information technology. They have also started providing English as a Second Language (ESL) classes as a precursor to the GED classes. Shaahin is also responsible for leading the logistics of these programs.
Shaahin had already been providing voluntary service for more than 15 years. “I was involved in helping out with Religious Education classes and Partnership Walk before I started service with QOL,” says Shaahin.
“I was really happy when I found out that my seva with Quality of Life could be used towards my Time and Knowledge Nazrana,” Shaahin expressed.“Even though that promise was made a long time ago, it felt good that I could keep the promise I made to give this nazrana."
When asked if completing her TKN request was as she had expected it to be, Shaahin responded, “I was glad that I could give my time volunteering locally, doing something that I already had years of experience doing.”
An individual who took Mawlana Hazar Imam’s life-long learning message to heart was Doulat Delawalla. At age 77, she was the oldest Jamati member to earn her GED diploma. Doulat and her family moved to Atlanta, GA in 1996, and have been active in Jamati activities ever since. When asked what motivated her to continue her education she said,
“I wanted to do something that allows me to gain knowledge and would benefit me. It was hard at first because I hadn’t been to school in 56 years. It reminded me of my school days."
Doulat attributes her success in the program to the support she receives from her husband, children, grandchildren and of course, her GED teacher. “Adeel Ratani was such a good teacher. He was so cooperative and gave us all confidence in our abilities. Because of his dedication, I was able to pass all of my tests.” Now that Doulat has her GED diploma, she hopes to pursue higher education. “I don’t want to sit at home and watch TV, I want to do more,” she says, “There’s a technical college near my house and I plan to take classes there.”
From the stories shared, it is clear that this initiative not only benefited the students who were able to gain their GED degrees, but also proved to be extremely rewarding for the teachers and staff involved. This initiative enabled members in the community to come together and help each other strive for a better quality of life. These classes have laid a solid foundation for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to pursue a future of life-long learning. The TKN USA team continues to work as a partner with the QOL initiative to support additional programs and activities as it creates new opportunities for murids to enhance their capabilities and meaningfully contribute to their local communities and the Jamat.
