Naira Abdula ’20 helps hometown recover from cyclone
When Cyclone Idai hit Beira, Mozambique, in March 2019, Naira Abdula ’20 spent five days not knowing the fate of her family and friends in her hometown. Finally, when she was able to connect with her cousin, she learned her family was safe but the roof of their home was destroyed, and it was still raining heavily.
A couple of Abdula’s friends from Beira who were also studying abroad had trouble reaching family members in the devasting conditions, too. Together, the three decided to take action to help their town.
They started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help the families in Beira survive the aftermath of the storm. Word of the fundraiser spread quickly through the Skidmore community, and many donated generously. Abdula and her friends were able to exceed their $25,000 goal.
Abdula, who was studying in London for the semester, also headed to Beira. There, she visited families in relocation camps, played with children, collected information on the needs of the community and worked with NGOs and local organizations to determine how best to use the money she and her friends had raised.
Originally, they had planned to purchase necessities like water purifiers, food, basic medicine, mosquito nets and solar lights with the funds. But once on the ground, Abdula learned the NGOs were better equipped to furnish those items, which they could buy in bulk. Working with APOIA, a youth organization in Beira, she determined another urgent need: The Munhava Matope Primary School had been so badly damaged that children could no longer attend school on days it rained. After Abdula worked out logistics and paperwork, the funds she helped raise are now being used to rebuild the school.
Abdula said she was deeply touched by the outpouring of support she received from the Skidmore community — from those donating and those sending her messages.
“I really have no words to express how happy and grateful I am to the Skidmore community,” said Abdula, a management and business and economics major. “The response was the biggest proof of love. I really felt loved and appreciated and recognized.”
Abdula’s determination to help her hometown wasn’t a surprise to those who know her.
“There was no stopping her,” said Jim Towne, who tried to talk Abdula out of going to Mozambique so soon after the cyclone out of concern for her safety. As members of Skidmore’s Friendship Families, Towne and his wife, Sue, open their home to international students for holiday meals and other occasions and were in touch with Abdula throughout her trip.
“She’s just a remarkable person,” Towne said.
While she was traveling, Abdula learned she is a recipient of a 2019 President’s Award. Each year, the awards honor members of the Skidmore community who have embraced the educational mission and progressive spirit of the College through exemplary commitment to personal excellence, campus pride and community service.
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Why Skidmore? Hear Naira Abdula’s story.
Student Profile: Naira Abdula from Skidmore College on Vimeo.