Hi, my name is Sadia and I am fighting to continue a dream that was never easy to begin with.

I am an international student currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Automation Engineering at the University of Bologna in Italy. Behind this achievement is a journey shaped by resilience, loss, and determination.

I was raised by a single father who believed in my education above everything else. In 2020, I lost him. That moment changed my life forever. But instead of giving up, I chose to keep going for him.

Coming from a conservative background, I am the first and still the only female engineer in my family. My journey has taken eight years of continuous effort, sacrifice, and self growth to reach this point.

In 2022, I earned a fully funded opportunity to visit Silicon Valley in the United States. There, I was mentored by professionals from global organizations such as Autodesk and Google. This experience expanded my vision and strengthened my belief that technology can create real impact.

Over the past eight years, I have worked to promote STEM education for girls in underserved communities across Pakistan. Through mentorship, workshops, and learning programs, I have contributed to initiatives that have reached more than 2.5 million people. For me, promoting STEM is not just a career. It is a responsibility.

Today, I am facing a critical challenge.

To pursue my Master’s degree abroad, I used all my savings to cover airfare, housing deposits, rent for six months, utilities, and basic living expenses.

At this moment, I only have enough funds left to survive for approximately two more months.

Without support, I risk being unable to continue my studies after everything it took to get here.

There is something even more important that I carry with me.

I have committed to supporting the education of my 7 year old niece in Pakistan. I help cover her school fees and contribute to her daily needs, including meals. Her education is deeply important to me because I know what it means to fight for access to learning.

This is not just about me. This is about continuing a cycle of opportunity.

Your support will help me sustain myself for the next six months so I can complete my degree, regain stability, and continue building a future where I can stand on my own again. It will also ensure that my niece can continue her education without interruption.

When you support me, you are supporting a woman in STEM breaking generational barriers. You are supporting a mentor who has already impacted millions of lives. You are supporting a child’s right to education.

I am also working toward a Double Master’s opportunity in Germany, where I will specialize further in Engineering Cybernetics. My goal is to use technology to create solutions that are inclusive and accessible for underserved communities around the world.

Every contribution makes a difference.

20 euros help me buy groceries for a few days

50 euros help cover utilities

100 euros help support both my expenses, my niece's education and her school meals

500 euros will pay rent of two months in Italy

700 euros will help secure housing in Germany

Thank you for believing in my journey.

With gratitude,

Sadia Shaikh