Silent Observer to a Confident Believer: My GIO Journey

My journey with GIO began long before I understood what it truly meant. I was around three years old when I started accompanying my mother to the summer camps where she took classes. At that age, I was too young to speak properly, but my eyes quietly observed everything around me. I remember sitting there, watching the elder sisters attentively listening to the classes, carefully noting down points, their faces filled with seriousness and love for learning.

The most exciting moments were the last days of the summer camp, when competitions were held. One by one, sisters would come forward; some reciting the Qur’an beautifully, others presenting nasheeds, delivering small speeches, or participating in quizzes. The atmosphere would be filled with anticipation and joy, especially when prizes were distributed. I did not fully understand the significance of those moments then, but something about them stayed in my heart.

It was also during that early time that I took my first small step. With my imperfect words and childish pronunciation, I recited Ayat al-Kursi on the last day of the summer camp. I may not have realised it then, but that small moment was the beginning of a journey, one that would slowly shape my love for learning, belonging, and growing within GIO.

Years later, when I began to grow in understanding around the age of eight, my GIO journey took a conscious turn. Along with my sister, I started attending the classes regularly during Summer vacations. What once was a place where I accompanied my mother turned into a place where I sat as a student.

Every morning, waking up early during vacations, getting ready with excitement, and trying to reach the class on time, slowly taught us the value of punctuality.

While we always think holidays are meant for rest and leisure, our holidays used to be filled with learning, reflection and growth, which did not just fill our time but filled our hearts with joy, fun and purpose and thus made our holidays meaningful and productive.

Beyond the summer camps, we had weekly classes in our home conducted by our grandmother, which made us have a special connection with the classes. I remember getting ready early, waiting for our friends to arrive, excited about spending time learning and growing together. Those classes were not just about lessons, rather they were filled with joy, laughter & reflections!

We recited the Quran and nasheeds, participated in quizzes and looked forward to the small prizes that brought us immense happiness.

One of the most memorable parts was being given opportunities to perform in front of adults during various campaigns, where we used to practice role plays, short speeches, involve in designing charts and posters enthusiastically. Those preparations were moments of creativity, teamwork and sisterhood. These activities that seem small were actually shaping us in profound ways, building creativity and interest within us. They helped us discover our talents, our strengths and our interests. Most importantly, they created a bond of sisterhood that works together for the sake of Allah.

A new phase of my journey started when I shifted to Chennai from my native Vellore during Covid phase. It was a time of sudden change, not just in place but in environment and experience. Everything moved online, and so did GIO classes and interactions. I found myself among a new group of sisters, a new language, everyone seemed older than me and spoke confidently, and I was so shy and hesitant to even speak up, and it was the early time that I had really started using the phone for classes. Tho everything was really different, I found the sisters in GIO really supportive and encouraging, they motivated me to join the classes, take part in the small activities conducted online.

During the Virtual summer camp, GIO gave an open opportunity for anyone among us to take up topics and present them for 10 mins. I still remember preparing my first online presentation on the topic “The Spiritual Diseases of the Heart.” It was my first experience creating a PowerPoint presentation, collecting points, organising my thoughts, and presenting them before others. These moments started bringing transformations within me - Slowly, I started building confidence to speak up in front of a group, to socialise, to keep my point of view and to understand different perspectives.

Looking back, I truly feel that GIO has played a vital role in my transformation. It has helped me strengthen my faith and connection with the Lord. Made me confident to speak up, develop various skills and gradually develop leadership qualities. It taught me to balance my personal goals with duties towards Allah and made me conscious of responsibility and accountability in front of Him. It constantly strives to show the true way of life and reminds us of the purpose of our existence.

I'm grateful to Allah for blessing me with the opportunity to be a part of GIO and for placing me in an environment that nurtures my faith, character, and growth. It is not just an organisation to me, but a journey that continues to shape me into a better version of myself. #MyGIOJourney

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Author: K Aamina Sabah, GIO Chennai Metro

Date: 10 February 2026