She has never tutored before. She will be the first to tell you that. But what she carries a deep, unshakeable passion for helping others learn and grow, is the very thing that makes her unstoppable. There are people who care about the world in a passive way, who wish things were better, who feel a quiet sympathy when they hear about children without access to quality education, and then move on with their day. And then there are people like Dija Hassanein. People who feel that same awareness and immediately ask themselves, what can I do? Stepping into her first year of high school at Dana Hall School, Dija is already asking that question and more importantly, she is already answering it. In her own words “I’m passionate about helping others learn and grow, especially in environments where access to education isn’t always guaranteed. Even though I haven’t tutored before, I enjoy working with kids and I’m excited about the opportunity to build connections and make a meaningful impact.”
THE WORLD SHE SEES
Dija understands something that many adults spend years grappling with, that education is not a universal given. For millions of children around the world, access to quality learning is not guaranteed. It is uncertain. It is fragile. It is fought for. And for children in Ghana who are part of the SmartKids Ghana program, every Zoom session, every teacher who shows up prepared and full of care, is a lifeline that matters deeply. Dija sees that reality clearly. And rather than feeling overwhelmed by it, she leans in. She volunteers herself, her energy, and her genuine love for working with children because she knows that showing up matters, even when you are still learning how to do it.
THE IMPACT SHE WILL LEAVE
Long after each Zoom session ends, something lingers. A concept that finally clicked. A moment of encouragement that a child carries with them into their next school day. A connection that reminds them, someone on the other side of the world showed up for me today. That kind of impact does not fade. It compounds. It grows. And it starts with one person who decided to care. Dija Hassanein is that person. A 9th grader at Dana Hall School who looked at the world, felt its inequity, and said yes, yes to showing up, yes to building connections, yes to making an impact that is meaningful and real and lasting.
Welcome to SmartKids Ghana Family Dija. SmartKids Ghana is so proud and honored to welcome you into our community. You arrive with no tutoring experience and an abundance of everything that actually matters passion, empathy, courage, and love for children. The scholars waiting on the other side of that screen are about to meet someone who will change their lives. And we have a feeling this journey is going to change yours too.
