Raziya’s Journey: From Dreamer to Chef

Raziya Sultana, a former Project Rummana mentor, shares her story:

❝My journey began in 2023 as a nervous 12th grader. Back then, Project Rummana was just starting its mental health mentorship program. I reached out to the founder, desperate to help others like me—teens drowning in self-doubt. To my surprise, he didn’t just listen; he asked, ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’

I whispered, ‘A chef.’ Most people laughed—girls from my village don’t cook in five-star hotels. But the Al Ghani Foundation believed in me. They awarded me the Best Dreamer Award, connected me with chefs in Dhaka, and even helped negotiate my internship at The Westin.

Today, I’m training under master chefs. Every time I plate a dish, I think of the girls back home watching me—proof that dreams don’t care about your zip code or gender.❞

Watch Raziya’s Video Diary