Rooted in Resilience: Mustafa's Story of Hope, Leadership & Home

When Mustafa Alali and his family arrived in Canada in 2017, he brought with him a quiet determination and a vision for a brighter future. Born in Idlib, Syria, and later forced to flee to Lebanon as a child, his early years were marked not by schoolyards and sports, but by 14-hour shifts in a small supermarket to help his family survive as refugees. Education felt like a far-off dream. Athletics? Unthinkable. Leadership? Not even on his radar.

Today, Mustafa is not only a proud member of the Loyalist Lancers cross-country team, but a two-time elected President of the Student Government and a 3^rd year, Deans List nursing student—just one year away from graduating into a career dedicated to helping others. His story is one of grit, gratitude, and growth.

Despite being out of school from Grade 4 through Grade 10, a normal situation for many children of refugee status, Mustafa never gave up on learning. In Lebanon, it became clear that school wouldn't be possible due to cost but he clung to hope for his future. That hope turned into a reality when Canada opened its doors.  "We had to go through a long process to get to Canada, which took about two years," he recalls. "At first, I didn't want to come here as it meant leaving my friends and the life I built in Lebanon. As time passed, I realized the opportunities that awaited me. It was second chance to go back to school and hopefully pursue a good career."

Once on Canadian soil, that second chance became a mission. He volunteered his time while learning English, adjusting to life in a new country, gaining full-time employment and helping his family settle. His motivation? The compassion of his Canadian sponsors—Larry, Laura, Ly, and Ellie—who supported his family without asking for anything in return. Their generosity lit a spark. "Their determination and selflessness in helping my family adjust to life in Canada without expecting anything in return shows the power of compassion and the ability to give back to the community" Mustafa explains. "I've  realized that they are one of the main reasons I chose nursing as my future career. It's the perfect path to create a meaningful impact on others – just as Larry, Laura, Ellie and Ly did for my family."

Mustafa didn't see himself as a leader in his earlier years. Instead, his leadership journey was born out of a sense of responsibility to give back to a community that provided so many opportunities for him.  From helping at the Immigrant Youth Centre in high school to mentoring newcomers through orientation programs, he quickly learned that leadership is less about recognition and more about helping others.

After making the decision to attend Loyalist College to pursue post-secondary education (a dream come true in and of itself) Mustafa threw himself into the community—first as a Residence Assistant, then as a Loyalist Life Ambassador, and eventually as Student Government President. What began as a last-minute application became a life-changing opportunity.

"Being President has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life," he says. I've had the privilege of working alongside amazing leaders and learning from them to better support our school community and advocate for an inclusive and supportive learning environment."

Mustafa's connection to sport, specifically cross-country running, came from a desire to stay active and connected. What he found was something deeper. "Through running, I learned a lot about myself. When I run, I stop thinking about everything else and focus only on myself" he explains. "I enjoy the feeling of competition and the motivation to improve. Joining the cross-country team here has inspired me to push my limits, put myself out there, and compete against some of the fastest athletes in the province."

Through sport, he found a community of teammates and friends who support him both on and off the course. They lift each other up, challenge one another to improve, and create a sense of home that transcends geography.

For Mustafa, home is no longer defined by walls or borders. "As a kid growing up as a refugee, I always thought of home in a physical sense; four walls with a roof, a safe place where I could go and be with my family" he says. "Now, home means so much more to me. It's a place where I can fail and grow, be myself, and be surrounded by my family, friends, and community. Home is a place where I can make mistakes and learn from them, where I can be sad, happy, or simply be me."

As he nears the end of his academic journey, Mustafa carries with him not only the pride of his personal achievements, but the responsibility to keep paying it forward. Whether in the nursing field, at the front of a leadership table, or simply as a friend, his purpose is clear: to give others the same hope he was once given.

"As I get closer to graduating and starting a new chapter, I'm honestly mind blown that I've made it this far. About ten years ago, if you had told me that in 2025, I'd be heading into my final year of nursing, or even just in school, in one of the top education systems in the world, I would've laughed". He continues "After working in a supermarket for almost five years and not attending school, the idea of getting an education felt impossible, more like a fantasy you read about in books. But what do you know? Some fantasies really can become reality."

True to who he is, when asked about what he's most proud of, Mustafa's answer didn't focus on personal accolades or achievements—it centered on impact.

"Beyond the milestones of my education and opportunities I've received, I'm proud of the person I've become" he says. "I'm proud that I can advocate for a better environment and more opportunities for my peers and community. I'm proud to have such an incredible support system in my family, friends, the athletic department, and the school community."

Mustafa's story isn't just about what he's overcome. It's about the legacy he's building—one of caring, courage, and community.

A true Lancer in every sense.