My name is Basma, and my journey from Egypt to Canada has been one of determination, reinvention, and unexpected belonging.
For 14 years, I worked in the banking industry in Egypt, leading customer service teams in one of the country’s major national banks. I had a stable career, a respected position, and a defined path. But inside, I felt a calling for more growth, more knowledge, and more global exposure. I wanted to evolve beyond the title printed on my business card and expand my future into something bigger, something international, something aligned with the world of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
I made one of the boldest decisions of my life: to leave everything familiar behind, my career, my comfort, and my family, to pursue an MBA in Canada and specialize in business analytics, data quality, cloud computing, AI, and machine learning.
I was the first woman in my family to take such a step, to move alone to a new country without family waiting for me. I had just two friends in the entire country, one in Toronto and one in Abbotsford. Convincing my family was a battle in itself. They said:
“You won’t manage on your own.”
“You need family, support, and stability.”
“Why start from scratch after so many successful years?”
But I believe that growth sometimes means leaving comfort. And growth is never silent, it demands risk taking, discovery, and transformation.
When I arrived in Canada in July 2024, I was full of excitement and fear at the same time. I lived in a small room in a shared house and would sometimes cry from loneliness and the pressure of being fully responsible for my decisions. I asked myself many times, “Where do I start?”
And Then — Rotary Found Me
Behind the house where I lived, I saw a banner for the Rotary Club of Abbotsford. Something in me said, “Call them.” I did and that phone call changed everything.
When I attended my first meeting, I met Doris. I briefly shared my story, and at the end of the meeting, she hugged me, a gesture I will never forget. At that moment, I felt I had found something I didn't expect: family, friends and support.
From there, my circle of support grew:
Doris became my guardian angel. She invited me to her family’s gatherings during Thanksgiving and Christmas, filling the gaps that homesickness left.
Vanj, Ernie’s wife, became my safe corner. When I felt down, I would tell her, “Please, can we meet?” And she was always there.
Ken Funk kept pushing me forward with encouragement, telling me how much he admired my resilience and strength.
Rod Thomson was a father figure — someone I could trust and look up to.
Blaine Bailey and many others stepped in with advice, kindness, and guidance whenever I needed support.
I came to Canada alone, but Rotary made sure I never stayed alone.
Today, I proudly serve as Secretary of the Abbotsford Rotary Club (2025–2026). Rotary didn’t just give me a place to serve — it gave me something far deeper: belonging, confidence, and community.
What Rotary Truly Means
Rotary is not only about “Service Above Self.” It is about:
Connection across borders
Family beyond blood
Support that expects nothing in return
Belonging when you’re thousands of miles from home
When I was lonely, someone hugged me.
When I doubted myself, someone believed in me.
When I felt like a stranger, Rotary made me part of something bigger.
To everyone who stood by me — thank you.
For every hug I received when I was down,
For every word of encouragement when doubt was loud,
For every moment I felt I belonged,
Rotary was there.
"This is the true power of Rotary".