Founder & Board Chair, Rays of Rahma
I am Ammaar H. Afridi, a junior at Austin High School at Fort Bend ISD, and the Founder and Board Chair of Rays of Rahma, a youth-led nonprofit I started in 2024 at age 14. Inspired by growing up with a differently-abled family member and witnessing the stigma they faced alongside their equal need for joy and belonging. I built a mentorship program that creates genuine connections between neurotypical and neurodivergent youth.
Faith has grounded my path: at age 9, I memorized the entire Qur'an at Maryam Quran Academy, becoming a Hafiz — an achievement that shaped the discipline and values I bring into everything I do. I have since channeled that foundation into service through the iLEAD Youth Engagement Program with Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, the 2025 VA Summer Youth Volunteer Program, and my school's golf team.
Through Rays of Rahma, I will continue to expand inclusive spaces for young people with a future in healthcare and a lifelong commitment to turning compassion into action.
My name is Huma Ahmed, and I serve as the Board Chair of Rays of Rahma. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery followed by a Master’s degree in Biomedical Informatics, and my academic and professional journey has been rooted in healthcare and research. With experience spanning clinical trials, coverage analysis, and environmental consulting, I bring a strong focus on systems, efficiency, and attention to detail to the organizational and operational work that supports our programs and the families we serve.
Beyond my career, I am first and foremost a special needs parent. My son, Ammar, is nonspeaking and has faced the heartbreaking challenge of not having a single friend his age. The social isolation that children like him experience is one of the main reasons I feel so deeply connected to the mission of Raysofrahma.org. Every child deserves connection, belonging, and joy—and I know firsthand what it means when those things feel out of reach me.
In addition to my role at Rays of Rahma, I proudly serve as a member of the Special Education Parental Advisory Committee (SEPAC) for Fort Bend ISD, where I work to represent and advocate for the needs of students with disabilities and their families.
Today, in my role, I focus on the operational backbone of the organization alongside Shazia, coordinating logistics, supporting programs, and ensuring that our volunteers and families have the structure they need to thrive. But at the heart of it all, I am simply a mother who believes in the vision of Rays of Rahma: that children like my son deserve not just services, but friendships, community, and the chance to shine exactly as they are.
I am Maryam Afridi, a high school student and Co-Founder of Rays of Rahma, a youth-led nonprofit she built alongside her brother to create spaces where friendships have no barriers and every child feels welcomed, valued, and truly included. Helping grow the organization from the ground up has shaped me into a more confident leader, teaching me how to plan events, coordinate programs, and work with teams to turn ideas into impact.
Outside of Rays of Rahma, I am a member of Girl Scouts and the National Junior Honor Society, where I have developed the ability to collaborate, lead with integrity, and take initiative on community service projects. I also takes golf lessons and pursue Arabic, reading, sewing, and arts and crafts and other interests that have built her patience, creativity, and discipline in equal measure.
I am passionate about inclusion and the belief that every neurodivergent child deserves real friendships and a place to belong. I plan to pursue a career in medicine which is driven by the same commitment of advocacy and compassion that brought Rays of Rahma to life.
I am Aizah Ali, a high school student with a strong passion for service, inclusion, and helping others reach their full potential. I first became aware of the importance of supporting others by noticing how peers who learn differently or have unique needs are often misunderstood or left out.
Faith and personal growth have shaped who I am. My commitment to learning and practicing Arabic has taught me discipline, patience, and focus which allows me to have skills in communication, cultural awareness, and empathy that I carry into leadership and service. I have participated in debate, sports, and peer mentorship programs, developing confidence, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility toward my community.
Through mentorship and community service inspired by Rays of Rahma, I hope to continue promoting inclusion, empathy, and strong connections among youth, while preparing for a future in healthcare or neuroscience, where I can combine compassion with advocacy to make a lasting impact for all.