Simeon Samuel’s journey toward promoting peace has been profoundly shaped by his personal experiences. Growing up in Ethiopia, he witnessed the devastating impact of violence firsthand when armed forces attacked civilians in his neighborhood. He says that this left a lasting impression and ignited his commitment to support those affected by conflict. He has found that sharing his personal story helps to motivate others to get involved.
As Vice President of Spartans for War Victims (SWV) Simeon channeled his drive into meaningful action. Working with several aid groups including Helping Hand, a global relief and humanitarian aid organization, he helped organize efforts to collect and distribute over 900 items of clothing, school supplies, and hygiene kits to war-torn regions such as the Central African Republic, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and, most personally significant, Ethiopia.
The ongoing conflict in his home country deeply affected him, leading Simeon to initiate a targeted clothing drive to support Ethiopian families impacted by civil unrest, ensuring that critical resources reached those in need. He then extended his commitment to peace beyond shipment of care packages and led a letter-writing campaign to the U.S. Congress, advocating for increased humanitarian assistance for war victims globally.
Spartans for War Victims also organized a soccer tournament to raise funds for those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. Simeon and the club worked with Muslim student associations across Fairfax County to invite soccer players from 30 schools to participate in a fundraiser that raised $5,000 for humanitarian relief. Simeon reflects, “It is important for humanitarian efforts such as this to be impartial in not choosing sides.” He believes that this project “demonstrated the power of unity and compassion in addressing crises.”
Simeon is also dedicated to fostering peaceful, supportive community locally. He has been active in tutoring and mentoring academically underserved and immigrant students. He recalls that having been tutored himself as a freshman, he experienced the benefits of such support. As his English language skills improved and he became better acclimated to life in America, he volunteered to help others through GIVE Youth, one of the largest student-run nonprofit organizations in Northern Virginia. He started as a tutor at Burke Centre Library and soon discovered a passion for mentoring young students and helping them build a solid academic foundation.
He took on greater responsibilities, becoming a GIVE Youth Center Manager at Pohick Regional Library during his sophomore year and, now in his senior year, serves as Executive Director of GIVE Youth. GIVE Youth provides free tutoring and mentorship to over 3,000 students across 20 centers, cultivating inclusive learning spaces for students from diverse backgrounds, many of whom are immigrants or from underserved communities. Simeon believes that he has helped bridge cultural and language divides, creating a sense of belonging to prevent isolation and alienation. He says that education and support are powerful tools for conflict prevention and resolution. He is committed to increasing educational accessibility and reducing learning barriers.
Simeon’s long-term goal, after completing college, is to promote peace by combining an interest in finance and economics with a focus on helping people. Whether providing aid to distant communities or fostering peaceful spaces locally, Simeon Samuel describes his work as driven by a belief that “peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of compassion, understanding, and a commitment to proactively resolve tensions and build enduring connections for lasting peace.”