A Pakistani boy is brought up in a struggling family living in one of Karachi’s least fortunate suburbs; decades later, now an Australian citizen, the chosen country he loves recognises him with a national honour. Mohammed Ali OAM, founder of relief charity HelpingACT, says he is overwhelmed and humbled.

Mr Ali was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours in June – celebrating Australians who make an outstanding contribution to the community.

This week, Governor-General Sam Mostyn formally presented him with the medal at an investiture ceremony.

“It was an honour beyond my belief, because I had not dreamt of anything like this in my life,” Mr Ali said.

“Being acknowledged reflects on the work of all the volunteers who have worked for eight years so far in HelpingACT, plus other persons who have helped from a distance, as a donor. I am simply a symbol of HelpingACT and the work.”

HelpingACT operates on the principle that food and shelter are fundamental human rights. It aims to serve both immediate needs through food assistance, and long-term goals for resettlement and stability.

“The main drive of HelpingACT is that no-one sleeps hungry,” Mr Ali said. “The main focus has been food, because we believe that if that problem is solved, then the mind can work on its other problems.”

The evening after the investiture, Mr Ali was invited to take part in a discussion panel at Government House about social attitudes and leadership, alongside Natasha Stott Despoja, a major-general, a leading scientist and a prominent gynaecologist.

There, inspired by Pakistani national poet Allama Iqbal, he shared his insights on leadership: a leader is someone who is visionary, optimistic, articulate, sensitive to social nuances, and possesses deep empathy and emotional intelligence. Leading a diverse group of volunteers and serving vulnerable populations requires high levels of connectivity, and the ability to break down social barriers to build trust, Mr Ali said.

Mr Ali says his own childhood instilled a desire to prevent others from losing their childhoods to hardship.

“My inspiration for HelpingACT came from a child who was struggling; from a woman struggling with what food would be there,” Mr Ali said. “It reminded me of my own mother and father. There were times when it was a problem. We were helped by our relatives.

“Just like every big city, there are some areas of Karachi where people are struggling; you felt a mother should not struggle, a father should not be overworked, completely neglecting himself.”

He expected that when he came to Australia, there would be no poverty; in a wealthy city like Canberra, Mr Ali believes there should be no place for homelessness or extreme poverty.

“When you come to a place where you don’t find any justification, that led me to think: no, we cannot sit quietly, and watch these things go on silently around you. We have to do something.”

In 2018, Mr Ali founded HelpingACT with secretary Manar Ahmad and two others.

“We had only one thing in mind: that we should try our best that the food situation gets better for struggling families, and no-one should sleep hungry in Canberra. Unfortunately, every day, the resolution that yes, we have to keep working is being revived. We have to do more, because the situation is getting out of control.”

The rising cost of living has increased the number of working poor families requiring assistance, while at least 15 per cent of Canberrans are suffering from hardship, including more than 8,000 children, Mr Ali said.

Today, HelpingACT provides food hampers to families – usually two new ones seeking aid every week.

It runs breakfast and welfare programs at 15 educational institutions (including three colleges), serving nearly $700 worth of food to more than 500 students every week; programs at three of those establishments began in the last three months.

Domestic violence support is another area; in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak, HelpingACT will launch a domestic violence assistance kit on 24 September. It also assists refugees and asylum seekers with basic household needs and white goods – people finding their footing in a new country.

“I’m very proud of what we are doing,” Mr Ali said. “I won’t say that we are a very big organisation yet, but the way things are going, our work is growing and growing.”

To expand its services and assist more people, HelpingACT needs a larger physical space to store long-life food and furniture.

Mr Ali urges the public to help by donating $10 every month, or volunteering.

“In this chaotic situation, where there are so many external pressures impacting on our day-to-day life, please keep in your mind those people who are struggling for the basic necessities of life – including food – and join HelpingACT,” he said.

“We should not lose hope. The only thing is that more and more people come together and join hands to tackle this mission. We will see a night in Canberra when no-one sleeps hungry, when no family is thinking how they would put the next meal on the table.”

 Mr Ali also asks all Canberrans to nominate anyone in their community for Order of Australia awards.

“The process is simple – and when someone like me can get it, anyone can,” Mr Ali said. “Recognition at that level boosts you personally, and boosts your community work or any work you are doing for society.”

Visit the Governor-General’s site for more information about honours and awards, including how to nominate.