Zeba was born and raised in Pakistan. She has a Masters in Genetics and was a science teacher for over 9 years when she resided in Saudi Arabia. She, along with her husband and young children, moved to Calgary in 2006 and continued to learn and earn other certificates and diplomas.
Zeba has been a volunteer with CIWA since 2010. Over the years, she has provided interpretation support for clients at appointments at CIWA and in the community. In addition, she has been a longstanding interpreter and classroom support for LINC and Pebbles in the Sand classes. Currently, Zeba helps low-level learners with very low digital skills who attend online classes.
Despite the challenges, Zeba remains determined to share her knowledge. She supports learners one-on-one, empowering them to become more independent. Through her patience and guidance, these learners have gained confidence and skills needed to navigate digital platforms
Zeba takes great pride in volunteering at CIWA because it allows her to help others. She finds fulfillment in offering her time to assist newcomers with language barriers, and she feels a sense of reward when she helps people communicate effectively. Zeba recognizes the intelligence and potential of newcomer women and understands the challenges they face due to language barriers. Being the bridge that connects them is deeply gratifying for her.
She believes that personal satisfaction is essential and that helping others benefits humanity. She says that volunteering “leaves a lasting impression” on people. Zeba takes immense pride in the fact that her efforts contribute to the success of others. She feels a sense of fulfillment knowing she can give back by supporting vulnerable individuals, providing them with a voice, and helping them express themselves in a way that others can understand. She also believes that helping others is a duty that goes beyond fulfilling basic requirements—it’s about striving to be the best and exceeding expectations. Volunteering, she feels, should be an integral part of everyone’s life.
Another aspect of volunteering that Zeba enjoys is the opportunity to learn from her clients. She enjoys discovering their unique stories, cultural backgrounds, and individual needs. Through her volunteer work at CIWA, she has learned the importance of being gentle, patient, understanding, and unassuming when working with clients.
CIWA staff believe that Zeba truly deserves recognition for her flexibility, sense of responsibility, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Zeba goes above and beyond, not only by maintaining a regular weekly volunteer schedule, but also by stepping in to provide additional support whenever needed. Her exceptional responsibility is evident in how she makes up for any missed hours, ensuring her commitment is always fulfilled. Her willingness to offer extra time and flexibility speaks to her dedication and outstanding contributions.
The staff has praised Zeba as a highly dependable, selfless, responsible, committed, and flexible volunteer.
In her personal time, Zeba is dedicated to continual learning, constantly seeking opportunities to deepen her knowledge, from mathematics and language to new skills, including different aspects of technology.
Want to learn more about how you can make an impact? Click here to see volunteer opportunities at CIWA.