Bibi Hakim, Canadian Award Holder

Bullied in my first months of high school, I was encouraged to pursue the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program by my geography teacher in hopes of making new friends, diversifying my skills and preparing myself for the future. After overcoming fears and going camping for the very first time, I found myself celebrating with other award goers as we achieved bronze together. From that moment, I decided to take on the next award level, silver.  

During that year, I took on two sports, volunteered heavily in my community and continued to advocate for mental health awareness, I found myself speaking up and out more and more and using my platform to highlight an issue that I care deeply about. Shortly thereafter, I found myself celebrating with fellow award goers once again as we got to the silver award ceremony. This time, I didn’t have to wait for my teacher to ask if I wanted to do gold, I was already 10 steps ahead. For what I thought would be my last award level, it was definitely special. I came up to Ottawa for the very first time in the very cold months of February to do my gold project with Forum for Young Canadians.  

Here, I had an opportunity to meet with my Member of Parliament and the Prime Minister, which they asked what would I be pursuing next for school?  Little did I know that political science and public policy was a degree, they encouraged me to pursue politics given that I had been involved in student politics since grade 4 with leadership roles. After some consideration, I applied and one of the first acceptance I received was from the University of Ottawa for the Joint Honours Political Science and Public Administrations program with Co-op. During my undergrad, I had the opportunity to work for the federal government and with the Parliament of Canada. I even took part in the UK Diamond Challenge which I raised awareness for student mental health on campus.  

In 2017, I was invited to the Gold Award Ceremony in my home city Toronto, where I gave the keynote speech in the presence of His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry. We shared a few heartfelt moments to which are engrained in my memory forever.  

Enviably, I am eternally grateful for my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey. It was more than just three little pins that we wear on our chest, it’s the bonds of friendships that were made along the way, the challenges we overcame but pushing ourselves past our fears and beyond our capabilities, it was the advice and guidance that we needed at our lowest point and it was celebrating together when we united again.  

I wouldn’t have been projected to be an up-and-coming figure in politics or have the platform to see my policy proposal for affordable, accessible and inclusive mental health services be adopted into three party platforms, as the government priority, in the speech from the throne nor awaiting to be debated into the House of Commons Chamber.  

This award and organizations means so much to me, it empowered a little brown girl from (Rexdale) Toronto, to chase her dreams.  

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