From April 25 to 27, Donna Enayati ’27 attended the United Nations Economic and Social Council Youth Forum (UN ECOSOC Youth Forum) in New York with the Children of War Foundation, a non-profit organization that gives children in war-torn countries access to medical aid and education.

When Enayati was in sixth grade at Carlthorp school, her class participated in an exchange with students from the School of Dreams, an elementary school on the Jordanian-Syrian border. To Enayati, the impact that the School of Dreams had on its students was captivating.

“I saw that I am so privileged to have access to such an amazing education,” Enayati said. “It’s almost wrong not to donate my time so I can share that with others.”

Enayati immediately wanted to become involved with the program. She began gaining support for the Children of War Foundation, the organization that manages the School of Dreams. Throughout the years, Enayati sold tie-dye products and cookies to raise money for items such as projectors, writing utensils, and tablets for the School of Dreams. In addition, she incorporated her authorial skills by writing articles about the organization and composing a book alongside fellow volunteers.

“I have phenomenal mentors and amazing educational opportunities, and if I help give others those same opportunities, then they’ll be able to do so much,” Enayati said.

In New York, Enayati attended discussions and panels that focused on the UN ECOSOC Youth’s goals for 2030 in terms of innovation and recovery. Specifically, the Forum addressed youth’s role in innovation and the ways in which youth could combat the affects of COVID-19.

“The forum was truly an environment for new ideas,” Enyati said. “I loved learning about innovation and how youth are at the forefront of the process.”

“I was almost unaware of COVID-19’s impact on the world,” Enayati said. “I’d always heard how COVID-19 was terrible, but now I really see it’s consequences, relating to youth and in general.”