Congratulations to Ribaat Academic Institute’s 2024 Andrea Scholarship Recipient: Vanessa Bueno!
Amidst a list of outstanding, highly-qualified applicants, Ribaat proudly presents Vanessa Bueno with this recognition, seeing her dedication and commitment to her studies and desire to continue growing and flourishing in faith and practice.
Colombian-American, Vanessa found Islam eleven years ago, pushing her into a place of solitude, as she remembers feeling like a puzzle piece that did not match in the Muslim Canadian community. She reflects how her newfound solitude allowed her the space to rediscover herself and flourish in her identity as a Muslim Latina. Since then, she has witnessed beautiful growth in the Hispanic and Latino community of Muslims, considering it an answered dua, where she can find comfort and confidence in this critical intersection of her identities.
While working part-time as an Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant to stroke patients, Vanessa still dedicates time to expanding her Islamic knowledge and understanding by studying at the Ribaat Academic Institute. She shares that her favorite class thus far has been Falah with Anse Dr. Tamara Gray, providing her a different perspective on “choosing battles” to attain the ākhira (the next life). She continues to carry its lessons into her daily life.
On continuous reflection on her time with Rabata, Vanessa expresses appreciation for the soft and gentle mentorship of Anse Emmanuelle (Eman) Manigat, Convert Care Coordinator. She held space for Vanessa, offering her a listening ear and providing her with honest and direct guidance and encouragement to help her along in her journey. Vanessa considers this mentorship instrumental to many of her successes.
When asked what advice she would like to share with others, Vanessa says: “Keep opening the door of Allah’s light. Keep showing up to lectures and environments where Allah’s light is present and sit there even if you don’t feel like it. Keep opening the door until it lights up your whole life.”
Vanessa hopes that The Andrea Scholarship allows her to continue studying this vast faith, so she can be in continuous awe of Allah ﷻ.
May she continue to spread the light of this faith in each of the spaces she enters, and may this scholarship be a facilitation of openings, blessings, and goodness for her. Amīn.
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Ribaat launched the Andrea Scholarship in honor and memory of Andrea Cluck Annaba, who converted to Islam in 2005. Andrea quickly became an integral part of the Rabata organization–as a volunteer admin, an archivist, a student, convert supporter and dear friend. After her passing in 2020, Rabata decided to honor Andrea’s legacy as a da’iya by establishing the Andrea Scholarship Fund. Each year, the Andrea Scholarship recognizes a distinguished convert Muslim woman who seeks to complete the Ribaat Teacher Certification. Click here to learn more.
