My name is Hafez Badawi, a Palestinian from Gaza. I am a husband and a father of two beautiful daughters. My youngest daughter was born in the most harrowing of circumstances — during the recent war on Gaza, amidst airstrikes, destruction, and fear. Her first cries were drowned out by the sound of bombs. Her first breath of life was taken under the shadow of death.

My family and I were forced to flee everything we knew and loved. We sought refuge in Egypt, leaving behind our home, our memories, and any sense of stability. Today, we live here as strangers, without an income, without support, and with the weight of uncertainty pressing down on our shoulders every day.

Despite these challenges, I hold tightly to one thing: hope. I have always believed in the power of education as a means of transformation. And that belief has carried me through the darkest of days. Recently, I was overjoyed to receive an offer to pursue my postgraduate studies at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. For me, this isn’t just an academic opportunity — it’s my only lifeline.

This acceptance means more than words can express. It is a chance to rebuild not just my own future, but that of my family. It is a chance to one day return home and contribute meaningfully to a society torn by conflict. It is a chance to rise from the ruins of war and stand again with dignity and purpose.

But now, I face a final obstacle: funding. I have no financial means to cover the tuition fees or living expenses. I am in desperate need of a scholarship to make this dream a reality. Without it, this rare opportunity will slip away — and with it, the hopes of a father, a husband, and a survivor.

I share my story not to seek pity, but to ask for a chance. A chance to learn, to grow, and to give back. I am ready to work harder than ever, to honor this opportunity with everything I have. I have already overcome so much — war, displacement, and loss — and I stand now at the threshold of something beautiful.

All I need is the door to be opened.

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Hafez Shaban Badawiv | Gaza, Palestine

Major: Engineering