Hamza is in his final year of studies for a Kinesiology degree at the University of Saskatchewan. He has also recently become a Clubs That Care (new window) youth leader for Neil Squire’s Makers Making Change (new window) program, leading volunteers in making adapted toys and devices for kids with disabilities.
“This summer while working at camps for type 1 diabetic children across the country I got to see a Makers Making Change session. I thought it was super cool and really wanted to get involved,” he shares. “I had never really considered there was such demand for adapted toys. Seeing videos of children using the toys was what really pushed me to sign up though. I think every kid deserves to grow up with fond memories of playing with toys; it’s a core part of any childhood. I believed that by signing up I could give those moments of joy to more kids.”
His club, YXE Makers, has 12 total members, and just recently hosted their first build event, adapting toys for Makers Making Change’s Hacking for the Holidays (new window) campaign.
“I spread the word in my community that I needed volunteers for a good cause and lots of people turned up! I believe with things like this there are always people willing to help, you just have to get the word out,” he says.
“I’ve just wrapped up my first event where my club made 30 adapted bubble machines! We had nine volunteers attend. It was a bit hectic at the start but once we all got in the groove, we moved super quick. My volunteers had a great time and I think they were all proud to have contributed to a cause as worthwhile as this.”
Hamza enjoyed running his first build event.
“It’s been absolutely great. I didn’t have much technical experience so it was a bit intimidating thinking about soldering and opening up toys. However, the Clubs That Care website had all of the information I needed to adapt the toys. I could not imagine doing this without all the documentation and support they provided me. If I ever had a question, I knew I could count on getting it answered from the coordinating team.”
The adapted bubble blowers have all been donated to the Alvin Buckwold Child Development Program. The club is looking at adapting 50 single message playback switches at their next meetup, and Hamza wants to do some light-up toys in the future. He particularly values the experience he gained as a Clubs That Care leader.
“I’d like to work somewhere in healthcare where I can continue to make a difference in people’s lives. My experience with Clubs That Care has been very helpful in regards to that. I’ve made a lot of great connections and got to speak to a few healthcare professionals when I dropped the toys off. I got to really develop my leadership and planning skills working on this, and that’ll be helpful for any career I get into.”
Hamza looks forward to continuing to run the YXE Club, noting that the Makers Making Change mission really resonates with him.
“I think I really owe it to the community to give back, especially when I think of all the people who have helped me in my own journey. But I also don’t think ‘giving back’ has to be in a physical or material form. To me the toys represent the concept of autonomy and dignity, and they let kids experience a degree of independence. Being able to activate a bubble machine whenever they want restores a feeling of control over their environment. In that way I really connect with the Makers Making Change mission of helping those with disabilities and allowing them to feel more in control of their lives,” he shares.
“I think with a little bit of effort anyone can make a positive difference in the world. It’s all about having the right intentions and truly believing in what you’re doing.”
This post originally appeared on the Makers Making Change (new window) website.