WEI Champion Spotlight: Ashaba Faridah
How did you get introduced to the idea of becoming a pilot?
Before I pursued a diploma in flight operations and management, I didn’t even know we had pilot training in Uganda. Choosing a career as a pilot is not very common, so despite having dreamed of flying in planes as a child, I didn’t think it was one that would come true. However, while I was still in school I attended an orientation where I was able to go and see people actually flying. This one plane came and landed, and out walked a woman! Seeing her felt so empowering that it reignited my love for flying, and afterwards I knew I had to do everything I could to be a pilot.
Can you tell me about your first time in the air?
I had two wildly different “first times” up in the air, once as a passenger and the second as a pilot.
If you are in flight school, part of the curriculum is that you have to fly up as a passenger, which is a really uncomfortable experience. The plane is quite small, and it’s not pressurized either. I remember when I was still on the ground my classmates were telling me that I was definitely going to puke. I was thinking “I’m tough, there’s no way that will happen to me.” Once I stepped in, we began a circuit exercise called “touch and go” where the plane takes off into the air, comes down again to slightly touch the runway, and goes back up over and over. After about 2 landings I knew I was definitely going to puke. Fortunately, I think the instructor noticed and brought the plane to a stop before I did. When I got out I acted like everything was all good.
Like I said, I’m tough.
Now, my first time up in the air as a pilot was entirely the opposite. It was thrilling – I loved the freedom, the control, and the brand new perspective I suddenly had of the world.
What is it like being one of the few women in an already uncommon field?
In Uganda there are really only about 6 women working in the field, and if you add the women that are still in training we still only number between 10 and 15. I’m not the only woman per se, but we are very few. Women are often to be perceived as the weaker sex, so even if you are good at what you do, people never attribute it to your intelligence or talent. They chalk it up to you being favored or given an easier time just because you are a woman. But at the end of the day piloting is practical; either you’re a good pilot or you’re not. I try not to focus on what people say or think, I let my actions speak for me. If I am a good pilot, indeed it will be shown through my work.
Have you had any role models along the way?
On an international level, I’ve had some difficulty finding a role model because I don’t relate as much to experiences that are very different from mine, but I do like Oprah. I think she’s amazing and I like what she’s doing. She’s incredible.
The one role model that I will say I had growing up was my mom. Everything that I know I have learned from trying to be as strong and hardworking as her. She taught me to not just sit around feeling sorry or make excuses for myself. As an entrepreneur, she was the first to show me that a woman is capable of doing anything.
She has always been my greatest inspiration.
How and why did you start the Bambino Life Foundation?
I had always wanted to start something like Bambino because I come from a poor background myself. I didn’t have much, but when I would see kids on the street I’d think “Well, if I’m having a hard time, how about them? They have it worse, they don’t have anywhere to sleep, anything to eat, and some don’t even have parents. I’m lucky enough to have a parent.” As a secondary school (high school) student, I knew no one was going to give me money to help people. But I’ve always wanted to give back, so in truth Bambino began as just me giving my pocket money to beggars on the streets.
After high school I decided I was done waiting for people to help me, so I started with whatever I had, which was basically nothing. I would ask people who were fortunate enough to have extra clothes, shoes, or books and give it to those who weren’t, whether it was an orphanage or street kids. That’s how Bambino Life came into play.
Originally Bambino was meant to be about children, and we have programs advocating for the welfare of children in orphanages as well as for creating awareness about children with learning disabilities. But when I started training to be a pilot, I realized that many girls don’t have the opportunity to learn, whether it’s because they drop out of school, are married off, or get pregnant. I decided to add a new mission: promoting girl’s education and empowerment.
So far it has really been incredible. Many girls drop out of school because they cannot afford simple items like sanitary pads, books, pens, or other materials, so we donate clothes, books, and school supplies and train them to make reusable sanitary pads to keep them in school. I’m proud to say that so far we been able to help 4000 girls.
Check out Bambino Life Foundation here.