Image Source: Afar
Local – To many of us, climate change still feels removed, even as its consequences draw closer every day. But for one South African teenager, the crisis is no longer abstract. It is something she is preparing to witness with her own eyes.
Aaminah Choonara, a Grade 11 learner at Lenasia Muslim School and one of the top five winners of the prestigious Students in Antarctica initiative, hopes that her experience will give South Africans a deeper understanding of the real and human impact of climate change.
Choonara’s journey began far from ice and research stations. It started quietly at school, through the encouragement of a teacher who believed in her long before the global spotlight arrived.
That single moment of encouragement became the turning point that set everything in motion.
“My teacher at school pushed me to go through with the entry for the initiative, and through the grace and mercy of Allah, it was made possible. Nothing is too small for Allah, and what seemed far-fetched at first became reality,” Choonara said.
At the time, the idea of being selected felt entirely out of reach. From weekend fundraising pop-ups in Lenasia to an international climate platform, the gap felt impossible to cross.
Even as her name moved through the top 20 and then the top 10, she still struggled to believe what was unfolding.
“A girl from Lenasia who just does pop-ups on the weekend… there’s no way I’m going to Antarctica. We said we would just enter and see, because Allah knows best,” she said.
Climate Change with Human Consequences
The expedition is not about travel or adventure. It is about placing young voices at the centre of a global crisis that is already reshaping daily life across Africa.
For Choonara, Antarctica represents both evidence and responsibility — to witness the damage and return home with a message.
She connects the melting of Antarctic ice directly to drought, hunger and water shortages across the continent.
In her view, the crisis is not theoretical; it is already visible in communities where children walk kilometres for water and families live without reliable access to basic resources.
“Going to Antarctica would mean witnessing firsthand the severity of climate change. We are going as the voices of millions who are already feeling the ice melt and who need that change to begin now,” she explained.
A Life Rooted in Service
Long before Antarctica entered her story, humanitarian work shaped her daily life. From school outreach to fundraising for water projects, service became part of her identity.
Her work with the Africa Muslim Agency and her role in school leadership reflect a commitment that goes far beyond this single journey.
“Humanitarian work is not something I do. It is who I am. Your one small action can change the life of another person and empower families for generations to come,” she said.
Despite the honour of the opportunity, the reality of the journey is daunting. The isolation, extreme cold and distance from home weigh heavily as departure draws closer.
Her message to young South Africans is clear: believe, work, and trust the process, because even the most unlikely journeys can become real.
“You are never too small, and the world is never too big. Every opportunity is possible, every dream, every goal and every aspiration of yours is possible. Allah will make things possible for you through means and ways that you never thought were imaginable. Work towards your passion and let it drive you,” she explained.
