Houston for Humanity Turns Global Awareness Into Action

What started as an idea to help children thousands of miles away has quickly turned into action
for two Houston High School students.

Sanarya Adham and Bia Aref helped create Houston for Humanity, a new student-led club
focused on raising awareness of humanitarian crises around the world and supporting children
affected by poverty, violence and conflict. Adham serves as president, while Aref is the club’s
publicity director.

For both students, the mission is personal.

“We experienced some of these issues firsthand since we are from other countries, and we want to help the people in our own countries,” Adham said. “Since we have the privilege to go to a school like Houston, we can do something about these issues.”

The students chose UNICEF as the organization they hope to support throughout the year, with a particular focus on children caught in circumstances beyond their control.

“In a lot of these wars and a lot of these other countries, the children have nothing to do with any of these problems, but they’re the ones that face the repercussions,” Adham said.

Houston for Humanity recently put that mission into action at Latin Fest 901 in Memphis. The
club participated in the festival during National Hispanic Heritage Month, giving students an
opportunity to experience different cultures, traditions, food and music while also raising
awareness and collecting donations for UNICEF.

For a brand-new club holding its first fundraiser, the results surprised even its founders: $800
raised.

“At first, a lot of people just walked right past our table,” Aref said. “But then me and my club
officers started to get more confidence to actually get people to come to our table.”

That first success is only the beginning. Houston for Humanity has set an ambitious goal of
raising $3,000 for UNICEF during its inaugural year. Adham and Aref also envision ending the
year with a cultural festival of their own, bringing together different traditions and organizations
around a shared commitment to helping others.

“Our goal for this club is to just get people to advocate for children’s rights and help people in
other countries while also having fun,” Adham said. “You’re having fun and you’re helping
people in need. We just think it’s a win-win.”