Siham Al Shawafi

There is no such thing in this life as pure good or pure evil. Rather, life has its own way of placing us at crossroads, where we may stand confused about which path to take, and so it draws us—time and again—into confronting our realities. As painful as it is for me to recall my story, it is precisely these hardships that shaped me into the person I am today.

My story began on the road to success, like that of many families, in a home that sheltered us and with parents who cared for us. Yet permanence is impossible. I was in the sixth grade when we lost my beloved father, who left us forever. From that moment began the harsh tests of life. My mother married my uncle so that he might care for us, but he too passed away after she gave birth to my younger sister, Hanan. When my aunt, who lives in Saudi Arabia, heard of the death of my father and uncle, she took us into her home, supported us, and has continued to look after us to this day. She was truly a living example of humanity in a time when mercy seemed erased and noble values faded—even among the closest of kin.

Those hardships did not stop at a certain point; they only promised more pain and trials. The burdens my mother carried and her immense patience eventually led to an illness that cost her her balance and health. Family pressures continued to pursue me until I grew weary and left my studies, as did my siblings. At that point, I decided to put an end to everything that was happening to me. My brother Salem heard about Al-Rahma Foundation for the Care of Orphan Girls and suggested that I join the home. After long consideration, I decided to enter, for I had no other choice.

I did not know then that joining the foundation would mark a turning point in my life—a point of success from which my distinction within the Al-Rahma community would begin, leading me toward multiple and diverse stages of achievement. After completing high school successfully, I joined the administrative field within the foundation, where I came to understand the true meaning of responsibility. My ambitions expanded beyond my own self, and I set clear landmarks for my life, fully confident in a more beautiful tomorrow.

I never expected that one day I would complete my university education, yet here I am—a graduate of Al-Andalus University with a degree in Business Administration. Today, I strive to realize my ambitions and dreams, proud of my achievements and of the many experiences I have gained. I worked as a supervisor in various departments and assumed leadership and follow-up roles in several fields, until I eventually settled into managing Hind School, affiliated with the foundation, after the successes I achieved in leadership positions. Still, I continue to aspire to greater heights.

What the Foundation Means to Me

My foundation is my life. I have learned from it endlessly. I learned to love others and to wish for them what I wish for myself. I developed my skills and abilities until I earned the respect and appreciation of everyone. I began to feel that my presence here has value, impact, and an imprint of hope for the other girls who join. Everything I experienced here shaped a positive personality within me. I learned to give as I had received, to be a role model to follow, and to claim my right to make my own decisions.

What the foundation has given me is far from little; it is a radical transformation that elevated me to the highest levels. Through it, I truly understood the meaning of the Chinese proverb: Do not give me a fish, but teach me how to fish.

By the grace of God, then through my institution—and especially my beloved mother, Ruqayyah Abdullah Al-Hajri, and my dear teacher, Maysoun Al-Sunaidar—I have become who I am today and have reached this level of growth, contentment, and inner satisfaction. I also do not forget the contributions of other people who have left a profound mark on my life.