Asma Hassouni, 26, likes to tell people that she has been working since she was 10 years old.
“By the age of 11, I was renewing my health card by myself – I wasn’t waiting for my parents to renew it,” says the Emirati.
From the ages of 10 to 17, Hassouni was an announcer for children’s programmes on Sharjah TV, with the full support of her mother, Hessa.
“My mum always encouraged me – even though sometimes I was requested to work until midnight, especially over Ramadan,” she says. “She believed that she shouldn’t always keep me in my comfort zone. She trusted me and I learnt a lot from this.”
Hassouni says that her upbringing gave her an independent streak, which is still in evidence today. She’s currently the head of corporate communications for Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, an initiative that nurtures the creative talent of girls between the ages of 12 and 18. It was founded in 2004 as a subsidiary of the Sharjah Children Centres, which Hassouni attended regularly as a young girl.
“From there, I’d say my empowerment started,” she says.
Sajaya was made an independent body in 2012 by Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, Ruler of Sharjah. Last year, Sajaya opened the largest young women’s centre in the Middle East, its fourth facility in Sharjah. It features an Olympic-size swimming pool, an aerobics hall and a 345-seat theatre.
“We offer Emirati girls the chance to try workshops in drama, arts and music, and we provide seasonal programmes and field trips, too,” Hassouni says. She has been working with Sajaya since finishing her degree in applied media at Higher Colleges of Technology four years ago.
“The idea is to empower girls, to improve their skills and to focus on the future. In the past five years, women have become more empowered here in the UAE. This comes from our leadership.”
Hassouni was recently asked to attend Youth City 2030 in Bahrain, on behalf of Sajaya, in the hope of starting something similar in the UAE. During her six-week visit, Hassouni learnt about the annual summer programme, which is designed to inspire and educate youngsters.
“I was the only Sajaya employee mandated to stay in Bahrain. Those six weeks proved to me just how independent I am,” she says.
Youth City 2030, which has just finished its seventh year, offers training workshops in leadership, science, technology and the arts, held in four main centres, aimed at Bahrainis between the ages of 9 and 25.
“The thing that really grabbed my attention was that 90 per cent of the people who were handling the initiative were volunteers,” she says. “When they were younger, they used to be youth participants themselves. It was about giving back, once they had grown up. I found it inspiring to feel the loyalty of these volunteers.”
Which car do you drive?
A Mercedes C250. My dream car is a sports car, but my mum won’t allow me one because I speed.
If you could be any animal, which one would you be?
I’m not very fond of animals. I cannot visualise myself as one.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to explore other countries, to meet people in every country I visit and to keep in touch with them afterwards. I also like to try their traditional food. My next trip is to Bucharest in Romania.
Where would you recommend people should visit in Sharjah?
Al Qasba, where you’ll find the big Eye of the Emirates wheel. I love the open pedestrian area and the atmosphere there.
What’s the most valuable lesson you learnt as a child?
My mum taught me that I would learn from any mistakes that I made.
What's your favourite subject to study?
That’s a tough question, but I’d say history – I like to explore different cultures and traditions. I’m also currently doing my master’s in communication at the University of Sharjah.
Who's your role model?
Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who is also the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children. I like how she takes care of refugees and empowers them. She promotes peace all around the world. The organisations in Sharjah that come under the umbrella of her executive office focus on family, youth, children and sport. She thinks long-term, not just about what will happen in the next few years, but in the next few decades. She once awarded me because I used to attend one of her children’s centres, and now I work for Sajaya, which is one of her organisations.
What do you do to relax?
I go to the spa, and I love the beach, to see the sea and watch the sunset. I love to soak up the atmosphere there.
What's the greatest travelling experience you have ever had?
In 2014, I went to Yogyakarta in Indonesia with Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah to do volunteer work. We helped to build two houses for two needy families. It was an incredibly beautiful place.
Who's your favourite person on social media?
The Bahraini Omar Farooq. He’s only 22, but I love that he spreads positive vibes. The influencers here in the UAE are a bit too materialistic – there aren’t any strong objectives behind them.
weekend@thenational.ae
