Emmy Rabi has achieved a lot for her family and now the Canberra community. Photo: Community Services Directorate/Facebook.
An African migrant who lost her parents at an early age and helped raise her sister and cousins has been recognised for her outstanding volunteer work with young adults in the ACT.
Vando Celestina Emmy Rabi was named the ACT Government’s Young Canberra Citizen of the Year 2024.
The 24-year-old was honoured for her tireless work running events and programs through Multicultural Hub Canberra, which supports migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
“I never grew up volunteering, I thought like any other human we should just be great to people,” Ms Rabi said.
“I started to go to the hub as I was hopeful they would help me get a job and thought that I could make some friends.
“When I got there, I was introduced to amazing people of different backgrounds. I met the executive director, Zakia Patel, and she started calling me to get involved in things. From there, I started to do a lot of volunteering and found I enjoyed it.
“I created a sports day program to bring communities together. It involved police, emergency services and other groups who were able to socialise and interact through sport.”
Born in South Sudan, Ms Rabi was forced to leave her country at age six due to war. She first went to Kenya then Uganda before settling in Australia at 19.
“My mum died of a disease and my dad died in the war… I had a huge responsibility as a 15-year-old trying to help raise three 13-year-olds and a six-year-old, my sister and cousins,” she said.
“At that age, I was having to advise people and manage a household at a time when I needed advice myself.”
Emmy Rabi delivers her acceptance speech. Photo: Multicultural Hub Canberra.
Ms Patel described Ms Rabi as an incredible young woman.
“Her journey to Australia is unique, but she doesn’t use or speak about that a lot. She’s so humble about what she has achieved,” she said.
“She is someone who always has a smile, has the kindest nature and is committed to being a great role model to her younger siblings and those in the community.
“This year she graduated from university and did something others in her family hadn’t done, so she’s a role model by example too.”
Ms Rabi has just completed a Bachelor’s degree in Events and Tourism at the University of Canberra.
“I had always wanted to be an investigative journalist… but now I’ve realised there are so many opportunities and my new dream is to start my own hotel chain,” she said.
Her advice to young people who have completed Year 12 this year underlines this ambition and drive.
“The biggest challenge for young people is how to chase their dreams. A lot of people aren’t concrete on what they want and don’t have a clear goal for their future. So they can drift astray and do things they want to do,” she said.
“For migrant families, there’s a different style for how adults raise their children. The parents tend to be very strict and their careers are dictated to them. Often, children end up doing a career they don’t like because it’s what your parents have pushed you to – like being a doctor.
“But you should do what you really want to do. You need to believe in yourself and love yourself as nobody else is going to do that. Don’t let external factors influence your decision, especially if it’s going to be in a negative way. There are always obstacles out there that will distract you, but if you have a mindset to succeed, you will.”
Find more information on Multicultural Hub Canberra programs on its website.
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