Fayrouz Ajaka
Educator/Chair and Co-Founder of the Arabic Language and Culture Association of SA
Anyone who stands up for justice and works towards a thriving society is powerful in my view. Power comes from within; it reflects what you believe you can do. However, power may be destructive when it infringes on the rights of others, and very harmful when coupled with greed. Creative power, when backed up with peaceful intentions, is uplifting to the individual and to society.
I come from war-torn area where harmful power forced me to leave my homeland. During my earliest years in Adelaide, I felt very isolated until I met Arabic-speaking friends and began community work to create and share positive stories about the South Australian Arabic-speaking communities. I feel empowered by being part of the Arabic Language and Culture Association of South Australia (ALCASA).