The wall confiscated half the land of our village and in the struggle against the occupation my family has suffered a lot. My father and brother have spent years in Israeli prisons and family members have been injured in the weekly demonstrations against the wall. I was close to giving up my studies in the absence of my father and brother but thanks to the scholarship a weight was lifted from my shoulders and I can continue without fear or insecurity.

I am from Qalandia Refugee Camp. Like everyone in the camp, my family are refugees and therefore have very little resources. Since my father passed away when I was 14 and I have a large family (three sisters and one brother), our financial situation is tough.  I am looking forward to graduating. I am very excited to join the work force so that I can prove my worth as an independent woman and help support my family. This scholarship means so much to me because it was my only hope to complete my studies in light of the family’s financial situation.