In conversation with Suhaila: ‘No one can tell me I can’t do something.’
Our new Youth Voice and Engagement Intern, Helena Boateng, conducted an Alumni Spotlight Interview with Suhaila Khamis.
An Achiever Network alumna (AN 4), Suhaila traces her journey through education and her experiences with the Jack Petchey Foundation, to her current job as a qualified youth worker and mentor in a secondary school.
‘No one can tell me I can’t do something.’
Suhaila has never been a stranger to adversity. Trying to find a school that accommodated her needs, a valiant charge spearheaded by her mother, was incredibly difficult. A lack of staff support in her first secondary school resulted in months of home schooling while trying to search for learning environments that would take her right to education seriously as a disabled student. After moving to a school in Stratford, equipped with the support she needed, she flourished. Suhaila said, ‘I was extremely pro-active, a go-getter. My mother calls me “Miss Independent.”
Despite finding a supportive environment, chronic illnesses kept consistency at an arm’s length. Balancing an unpredictable routine of extended periods in the hospital with drama classes and language lessons meant that the confidence she had developed began to waver.
The impact of the Jack Petchey Foundation
Her first experience with the Jack Petchey Foundation, winning an Achievement Award aged 14, could not have come at a better time. She was delighted when she was presented with a medallion for her determination, charisma, and fantastic energy, uplifting everyone around her. ‘I am not disabled, I am differently abled’ she told me, exemplifying her resilience. She continued to achieve what very few people could. She had spinal surgery in year 11 whilst teaching herself GCSE content, which led to her obtaining great grades.
She continued to galvanise her relationship with the Foundation further, applying to be on the Achiever Network, which went on to be the ‘best time of my life.’ The focus on extracurricular activities helped her to trust herself more and exposed her to experiences her school would not have been able to afford, like abseiling and ziplining. ‘I still have the bucket list challenge we did. I have ticked so much of it off.’
If you think you can, you can!
Moreover, attending sessions whilst being in school meant she learned time management and discipline. The experience truly made her believe that ‘if you think you can, you can.’ She enjoyed her experience so much that she applied to be an Achiever Network leader for the next cohort. One of her fondest memories was performing at the recent 25th anniversary celebration event. Despite living with anxiety, ‘I was able to go on stage and speak my truth.’
One of the most important things Jack Petchey programmes taught her to do is to ‘think positively,’ a skill she used to overcome the difficulties she faced at school. This mentality coupled with the great mentoring she had received through JPF made her realise that she wanted her career to help her community. Beginning by volunteering at a school, she worked her way up to her current job, a senior youth mentor and worker in a secondary school. She graduated from her youth practise course last September. The tangible effect of her job is what she loves the most.
On self-determination
Making a practical change in the lives of the youth around her is what she believes her mission in life is; she can be the safe space that their teachers may not have the capacity or resources to provide.
When asked if she had any tips for other alumni, her response was just as practical and pertinent as the rest of her answers; ‘if you are a young person, it is never too early to have a CV.’
Then, ‘do what you want to do, not what others tell you to do, because when you are motivated by what you love, the sky is the limit.’