Humanitarian Product and Service Leader of the Year awardee Ayat Abuznade is becoming a force in humanitarian work. Despite her painful past, she continues to push forward, taking on the noble responsibility of looking after the innocent victims of global crises.
Ayat Abuznade’s story started in 2014 when she volunteered at Zaatari Refugee Camp, the biggest refugee camp for Syrian survivors. After years of making that camp her home, Ayat would experience something in her change after an encounter with Yaseen, an eight-year-old boy. Since then Ayat realized her life’s calling— to be a source of hope and aid to those who need it most. Yaseen had his left arm amputated because of a missile shell. It was when she witnessed the destructive effects of war on people that compelled her to launch Team Humanity USA. This nonprofit organization provides emergency crisis care and aid to refugees in different parts of the globe.
Wars, food shortages, pandemics, child abuse and human trafficking, are just some of the crises the world faces today. Unfortunately, numerous innocent lives have either suffered or been taken away because of these crises. Yet, as ironic as it may sound, the harsh environment that these crises produce serves as the birthplace of individuals and organizations who swore an oath to be of service to humankind.
With the recent war between Ukraine and Russia, Team Humanity USA is on the ground helping women and children by giving out essential items for survival. They are at the border of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine and have been helping the transport and evacuation of women, children and the elderly. They were also able to purchase buses to help those who were in the country Ukraine to evacuate safely. “Give with all your heart, knowing you will get nothing in return. But, those who are fortunate can save people and instill hope and happiness back in the lives of people suffering fleeing war.” says the compassionate founder of Team Humanity USA.
Despite the life-changing encounter Ayat with Yaseen, it did not spare her from the emotional challenges these crises tend to give. “One of my greatest challenges is realizing that I can’t save everyone. Not to mention the difficulty of transitioning from being on the ground during war crises and seeing people in extreme suffering to returning to normalcy when I’m back in the USA,” says the compassionate founder.
But after being immersed in a war-torn nation and meeting a war victim, Ayat Abuznade’s desire to help the victims of global crises burned so profoundly that it made her start Team Humanity USA. Despite the insurmountable challenges, Ayat keeps on moving forward. Ayat shares how outstanding accomplishments often start with small victories, as evidenced by how much impact she has created despite her humble beginnings. Accordingly, she inspires next-generation leaders to keep pushing forward no matter how insignificant their contributions might seem early on.
In the next five years, Ayat Abuznade envisions herself still spearheading Team Humanity USA and carrying its noble mission of providing help and hope to the victims of global crises. She sees Team Humanity USA being able to help more and more people from all over the world. Check out Ayat Abuznade’s Instagram to learn how you can be part of her noble work.
