I first learned about the Shams Family Foundation during one of the most crucial transitions of my life — the shift from high school to university. Like many young people, I had big dreams, but financial limitations made studying abroad seem distant and unrealistic. Some friends told me about the Launchpad program, and a relative who was a board member of SFF encouraged me to apply. I was thrilled to be selected.
The Launchpad program supported me through every step — university admissions, visa processing, travel, tuition, and a living stipend. But more than any financial support, I received life-changing mentorship from Mr. Kam Shams, Chairman of SFF, that shaped how I think, plan, and dream.
Walking across the stage at SEEU to collect my Bachelor's degree in Computer Science was not mine alone — it belonged to the SFF board and everyone who supported me along the way. Thanks to SFF, I gained the confidence to pursue my goals, became financially and mentally independent, and began supporting my family back home while continuing my studies.
Today, I'm proud to be part of the SFF team itself — continuing to grow through new opportunities and giving back to the same mission that carried me here. SFF's mission is simple yet powerful: empower one student per family, so that through that one student, the entire family — and eventually the community — can rise.