Medical student Houda Oraham awarded for courage
Houda Oraham, who has just started her third semester of medical studies at the University of Gothenburg, is one of this year’s recipients of the Young Courage Award. She receives the award for inspiring young people in disadvantaged areas to pursue higher academic studies.
At just 15 years old, Houda began volunteering with the City Mission in Gothenburg, where she helps children and young people in underserved areas to succeed in school and attain high school eligibility through tutoring. One memorable experience for Houda was when a girl, during a tutoring session, was certain she would fail her upcoming science exam because she had not studied.
"I said, ‘Let’s give it a try,’ and I helped her study. Later, I heard that not only did she pass, but she also received the highest grade she had ever achieved on a test. She was overjoyed, and her happiness was contagious," Houda recalls with a smile.
Small actions matter
The award recognizes Houda's efforts in the Biskopsgården district, which have contributed to the area no longer being classified as disadvantaged by the police. The Young Courage Award is an international accolade given by the Raoul Wallenberg Academy in collaboration with the Swedish Institute and Sweden’s embassies (formerly known as Young Courage). The award highlights young people aged 13 to 20 who, with limited resources, have demonstrated great courage.
“Raoul Wallenberg saved Jews from the Holocaust at great personal risk. The award ceremony emphasized that even small acts of courage can have a significant impact, and they don’t have to involve grand heroics,” says Houda Oraham.
The award was presented in Stockholm, attended by politicians, authors, and also HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
An ambassador
Her motivation to become a doctor is to help people, and even though her studies are demanding, she continues her commitment to children's education. She intensifies her engagement whenever possible, she explains. She is also a student ambassador for the University of Gothenburg, another way she inspires young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to pursue higher education.
“There are many young people with immigrant backgrounds who don’t have much knowledge about universities and don’t know what merit scores or exams are. I try to help by explaining and informing them about their opportunities,” Houda says.
The award has been featured in radio, TV, and several articles, including in the medical journal. You can view the SVT West segment featuring Houda here (in Swedish): https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/vast/houda-19-prisas-for-sitt-arbete-med-unga-i-biskopsgarden
Text: Elin Lindström, info@sahlgrenska.gu.se