Masoma was born in Afghanistan, but she and her family fled to Pakistan when she was a few months old. After US forces arrived in Afghanistan in 2001, the family returned and remained there for many years. “Those were some of the best days of my life,” Masoma recalls. “Going to school, spending time with friends, and not worrying too much about the future.” In 2013, the family again decided to leave in search of safety and a stable future. This time, they fled to Indonesia, expecting to stay for a short time before being permanently resettled in a third country. Their “short stay” lasted almost nine years. Masoma was shocked to learn that as a refugee, she was not allowed to work or access several basic rights in Indonesia. Despite these hardships, Masoma was determined to contribute in the best way she could and started volunteering as a teacher at refugee learning centres. “Teaching and working with other refugees helped me grow stronger and become the person I am today,” she says.