Anita Ahmad can't help herself.
For decades, she has devoted herself to serving marginalised and overlooked communities, both locally and internationally. Her commitment to advocating for those who are often unheard runs deep. She takes immense satisfaction in amplifying their voices, striving to bring attention to their struggles and championing their needs while ensuring they receive the support and recognition they deserve.
Even after 25 years, she approaches her work with the same passion and fervour, taking on many different roles in the non-profit field.
Not too long ago, I came across a LinkedIn post from her that read: "When your heart is in the right place, you approach your job with the same dedication as any profit-driven profession, holding yourself accountable to the communities you serve. This way, you can make a meaningful impact within your sphere of influence."
The stereotype of non-profit workers as unrealistic idealists who abandon "real jobs" to save the world, often at personal risk, is gradually fading. Anita is determined to challenge and transform these outdated perceptions, highlighting the dedication and professionalism that drive the non-profit sector forward.
"I've been there," she readily admits with a smile. "I've had an interesting journey when it comes to non-profit, because I've doing it for more than two decades."
"That's a long time! I interject. She nods and replies: "Yes, I've been involved in this field from many different angles."
By angles, she refers to the various roles she has taken on over the years, serving communities in need both locally and abroad.
From working at the grassroots level to influencing policy and strategy, she has dedicated herself to making a difference. Her experience spans hands-on community work, leadership positions in non-profit organisations and even advisory roles, all aimed at effecting meaningful change through a comprehensive approach.
The chief executive officer of Yayasan MySDG (Yayasan Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan Malaysia), established in 2022, leads efforts to support Malaysia's sustainable development goals (SDGs). The foundation works closely with the government, the United Nations and the Finance Ministry to coordinate the Malaysia-United Nations' SDG Trust Fund, which provides grants for projects that align with these goals.
She explains that the SDGs are a global call to action for all countries, both developed and developing. They aim to end poverty and other deprivations while improving health, education and economic growth. At the same time, they focus on reducing inequality, tackling climate change and preserving our oceans and forests.
"Our role," she continues, "is to find more funds to help non-governmental organisations (NGOs) carry out projects that support these goals."
The 52-year-old has been tasked with securing grants and empowering NGOs to make a difference. "One of our goals is to eradicate poverty. Instead of just giving cash handouts, we focus on building capacity in two ways: increasing their general income for better purchasing power and building resilience. This way, they have savings to help them through tough times."
It's a huge undertaking, of course. She grins and nods. "I've always tackled challenges head-on. I love being part of a new organisation, helping to set it up and grow it from scratch. It's tough, but it's what I enjoy most."
Even now with the foundation, Anita and her team focus on the most marginalised communities and those in remote areas with limited access to opportunities. "I'm a problem solver and I've always believed social justice," she explains. "I enjoy tackling complex social issues and finding solutions. My approach is shaped by my own life experiences and challenges, which have deepened my empathy."
She pauses, then emphasises: "Empathy, not sympathy. It's about genuinely believing that they are not charity cases, but people who simply haven't had the same opportunities as we have."
There's a quiet strength behind her smiles. Anita speaks softly, her voice sometimes lost in the cafe's hum and chatter, making it hard to hear her at times. Yet, despite her calm and reserved demeanour, there's a resolute determination in her voice that underscores the seriousness of her work.
EARLY INSPIRATION
Her desire to make a difference may have been sparked by a pivotal experience when she was just 11 years old.
"At that time, my mum was studying in the United Kingdom and met many students, including an Afghan woman who had become a refugee due to an uprising in her home country. She faced significant struggles to stay and continue her studies, and my mum supported her during that time," she recalls.
When Anita met her for the first time, the woman bought her a souvenir. "It was the first time I learned about asylum-seekers and was exposed to the harsh realities of their lives. I also discovered that despite extreme hardship, these people are more generous than even the wealthiest individuals I've encountered."
Anita still treasures the souvenir to this day.
After earning her law degree, she realised she didn't want to pursue a career as a lawyer. "I was drawn to the glamorous portrayal of lawyers in LA Law!" she admits with a chuckle. "But the reality was quite different, and I quickly lost interest."
While doing some editorial work, Anita came across an article about an attack on a United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) school by Israeli forces, and it had a profound impact on her. "I remember that moment vividly — I ran to the bathroom and cried. I felt incredibly emotional and knew I needed to do something more."
She turned to her mother for advice and the latter suggested she consider volunteering. Coincidentally, Mercy Malaysia — a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing medical relief, sustainable health development and risk reduction for vulnerable communities in both crisis and non-crisis situations — was looking for volunteers. Led by Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, the organisation caught Anita's attention, and after attending one of Dr Jemilah's talks, she felt deeply inspired. "After hearing her speak, I realised this was what I wanted to do. So, I volunteered to go to Afghanistan!"
She pauses and murmurs: "My first encounter with a refugee was an Afghan woman. And now, somehow, I was going to her country. It feels like her impact on me was greater than I had realised."
LIFE ON THE FIELD
The team, including Anita, was stationed at the border of Pakistan and travelled daily to Afghanistan.
"I managed the volunteers and handled the administration since the work was primarily a medical response led by volunteer doctors," she recalls.
Despite the cold and harsh weather, she vividly remembers seeing a few children running around in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Spin Boldak, which borders the west of Pakistan. The tents housing the IDPs, battered by harsh winds and extreme temperatures, were various shades of grey and no larger than 3x3 metres each.
"I remember the strong, unpleasant smell coming from the camp. I had never been in an IDP camp before, nor had I been in a country with such limited access to water while enduring a drought for over five years. The smell was a constant reminder of the profound poverty and the stark contrast between my life and that of the IDPs," she reflects quietly.
After four weeks of volunteering, Dr Jemilah offered Anita a job as a country manager to help monitor the health and humanitarian-related projects in Afghanistan. After discussing it with her parents, Anita accepted the offer. "I can't believe my parents agreed, but I was overjoyed," she says. Not long after, she returned to Afghanistan for several months. However, she eventually had to leave due to safety concerns.
"It felt like a bad break-up," she confesses. "I had fallen in love with Afghanistan. It's a beautiful country with incredibly kind and hospitable people. There was so much to do and I couldn't do it. It was like being committed to solving an issue, but not being able to finish it because I had to go back."
Undeterred by disappointment, Anita embarked on new missions to Syria, Iraq, and Cambodia, where she continued her dedicated work. However, it was during her time in Iraq that she faced an unimaginable crisis. The challenges and dangers of the region escalated, leading to a harrowing experience that profoundly impacted her and tested her resolve in ways she had never anticipated.
Dr Jemilah, Anita and a few volunteers had hired two Syrian drivers to transport them through Iraq when their convoy, carrying medical supplies to children's hospitals, came under attack. Despite being clearly marked with white flags indicating humanitarian aid, the convoy was fired upon. The attack resulted in the deaths of two people, including one of the drivers of the van that Anita was in. Two doctors, including Dr Jemilah, were shot.
She grows quiet again, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I'm sorry," she apologises softly. "Some days I'm okay, but other days, thinking about it still makes me emotional. I remember feeling paralysed, thinking I might die, and that's something I don't share with many people."
Reflecting on that moment, she says two things became clear to her. "First, I was determined to continue this work despite the dangers. And second, it made me realise just how challenging and sometimes overwhelming this work can be."
After years on the field, the trauma from her many experiences began to catch up with her. "I started losing sleep, falling into deep depression and feeling increasingly isolated from my family. I couldn't open up to them about what I was going through."
Seeking to deepen her understanding of her work, Anita's life-changing experiences fuelled her desire to build a career in the non-profit sector. This led her to pursue a Master's degree in Social Development as a Chevening scholar.
"It was truly transformative," she reveals. "I met like-minded people who supported and encouraged my work, and the experience gave me a broader perspective on the issues. It also provided me with the time and space I needed to heal in my own way."
After obtaining her Master's degree, Anita returned and served as country manager in Sudan, where she oversaw the rehabilitation of a maternity ward and the construction of operating theatres in Darfur, among other projects. The maternity ward was in shambles due to the civil war in the country. "When you walked in, there was a terrible smell because blood had seeped through the cemented floor," she recalls. "We rehabilitated the entire place with new tiles and retrained the nurses."
This was one of the success stories that Anita is particularly proud of. "To this day, the operating theatre is still in use." she tells me proudly.
Yet three weeks after she arrived in Darfur, the world's attention shifted to the countries affected by the tsunami, including Mercy Malaysia. With the focus on organising their response to Aceh in Indonesia, fewer volunteers were willing to go to Sudan, and the NGO became preoccupied with the crisis in Southeast Asia.
"I chose to stay," she tells me. "Like I said, I always support the underdog. I continued sending my regular reports as expected, often without needing any reminders."
Seeking a change and realising she needed to address her unresolved trauma from serving in many war-torn countries, Anita eventually left Mercy Malaysia.
She then had a brief stint with UNHCR before joining UNDP, where she facilitated policy research and advocacy projects focused on persons with disabilities, gender equality, indigenous peoples and peacekeeping training.
Anita then became a founding team member of Yayasan Hasanah, where she shaped and led its community development and humanitarian response strategies. She supported capacity-building within the non-profit sector and fostered various multi-stakeholder partnerships, including the government-linked companies' "Demi Rakyat & Negara" initiative (GDRN), aimed at coordinating large-scale social impact initiatives. Ever in pursuit of knowledge, Anita also became an Eisenhower Fellow during this period.
In 2022, Anita took on the role as the chief executive officer of Yayasan MySDG — and she has not looked back since.
Concluding, she says: "I've worked on the ground in some of the most challenging places, so I understand first-hand not only that poverty is devastating but also the complexity behind it. Poverty isn't just about lacking money; it's about facing a web of interrelated issues, from healthcare and education to access to basic necessities and opportunities.
"My experiences have shown me the intricate layers of hardship people endure and that's why I'm so committed to finding comprehensive solutions."
Anita's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to serving others. Her path has been marked by profound challenges and triumphs, each experience deepening her resolve and broadening her perspective. She has transitioned from the front lines of crisis zones to strategic roles, always with the same goal: to make a meaningful difference.
Like I said before, she can't help herself.