• Awarded on: November 24, 2004

Alqaim Giga, Calgary, Alberta
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award


While still in his teens, Alqaim Giga was the driving force behind the 2001 World Sight Day High School Challenge, an initiative that mobilized students throughout Calgary to collect nearly 3 500 pairs of eyeglasses in four weeks for distribution in the Third World. Shortly after, he launched a project to educate youth about blindness and raise funds at the same time. His efforts are now being replicated in high schools across Canada. In addition to improving the lives of many in developing countries, Mr. Giga has made a difference in his community by serving as a youth coordinator for the Canadian Diabetes Association, a counsellor at a local youth camp and a tutor to recent immigrants.