HER family sought refuge in Australia almost 17 years ago and now Zaynab Al Yassin aspires to be a doctor to treat refugee children in need.
Zaynab, who is in her final year at Girrawheen Senior High School, recently won a $3000 scholarship from the Young Australia League (YAL).
At a ceremony last week, Youth Minister Tony Simpson presented Zaynab with the Perpetual Members Scholarship trophy.
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READ NOW“I love learning about the human body,” Zaynab said.
“Learning that sick children in refugee camps are living without medical care – it gets to me. The scholarship will help to pay for the books for my studies.”
Zaynab was born in Syria but her family came to Australia from Iraq.
The 17-year-old hopes to be accepted to study medicine at UWA and eventually travel abroad to treat patients.
YAL chairman Frank Schaper said an independent panel had selected the seven scholarship winners from 53 applications last year.
The trust, which bears the name of YAL’s founder J “Boss” Simons, offered a share in $35,000 for seven people 12-25 to assist their study efforts.
The scholarships cover expenses such as tuition fees, specialist courses, home tutoring, books, equipment and travel and living allowance.
Applications for 2017 grants are open from August 1 to October 31 on the YAL website.
YAL scholarship winners:
Julianna Thomas (12), of City Beach, attends John Curtin College of Performing Arts
Julyan Tan (14), of Aubin Grove, attends Corpus Christi College
Zaynab Al Yassin (17), of Girrawheen, attends Girrawheen Senior High School (GSHS)
Van Tha Ceu Rahtin (17), of Girrawheen, attends GSHS
Peter Thatmun (16), of Alexander Heights, attends GSHS
Sarah Harrison (18), of Cloverdale, attends Curtin University
Jamie-Lee (Mia) Hunt (25) lives in Mt Barker and studies anthropology externally