Sadi Sati Shamallakh

My name is Sadi Sati Shamallakh, and I have recently received an offer to study in London—a moment of hope after surviving unimaginable tragedy. I am from Gaza, a place that has witnessed repeated wars, devastation, and deep human suffering. My life changed forever when the most recent war forced me to flee my home, leaving behind my family, friends, education, and everything familiar. I am now in Egypt, a refugee without stability, but still holding onto one powerful thing: the belief that education can change my life—and one day, the lives of others too.

Being accepted into a university in London was a moment I will never forget. It felt like the first step out of the rubble, a light after months of darkness. But while I have the acceptance, I do not yet have the means. Financial support is now the only barrier between me and the future I’ve fought for. Your support would not just fund my education—it would help me rise from the destruction of war and build a life of meaning and impact.

I chose to study computer science and front-end development because I believe in the power of technology to connect, empower, and rebuild. In Gaza, I was a front-end developer, a student, and a community volunteer. I led tech initiatives like the Google Developer Student Club, taught students coding, and created digital tools that helped people access education. Even when electricity was limited and bombs echoed in the background, I kept coding. That’s how deeply I believe in what I do.

But war changes everything. I saw my city reduced to rubble, people I loved lost, and dreams paused without warning. I escaped with nothing but my laptop and a fierce determination to keep learning. In Egypt, I pushed forward—I completed online certificates with Meta and McKinsey, stayed active in tech communities, and never let go of the dream of university. Yet I cannot take the final step alone. I need help getting to London and building a life where I don’t just survive—I thrive.

This financial assistance would give me more than just a degree. It would give me a safe space to heal, grow, and rebuild. It would turn tragedy into purpose. It would allow me to return—not physically, but in spirit—to my people, with the skills and strength to give back, to lead, and to inspire.

One moment that stays with me is from my time teaching tech in Gaza. A student once said, “Even if the world forgets us, you reminded me that we matter.” That’s what I want to carry forward: the power to show others that even in destruction, we matter. That we can rise.

Thank you for considering my story. With your support, I will turn survival into strength—and use my education not just to change my life, but to honor every person in Gaza who never got the chance.