Empowering Dreams Amidst Turmoil: DFL Welcomes Two Gazan Palestinian Scholars
In the face of adversity, the Daughters for Life Foundation (DFL) continues to shine a light on the power of education and opportunity for Palestinian women. As part of our unwavering commitment to empowering women in conflict zones, we proudly introduce the second instalment of our two-part scholar spotlight series, showcasing the incredible achievements of our 2024/25 Scholarship Winners hailing from Gaza, Palestine.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our academic partners—The University of Antwerp and Ghent University—whose dedication has made it possible for these young women to pursue their dreams. Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Zena Elhout and Ola Redwan to Belgium, both of whom have shown remarkable resilience and determination in their pursuit of education.
Meet Zena Elhout
Zena Elhout, a passionate Palestinian from Gaza, is set to begin her undergraduate degree in Social-Economic Sciences at the
University of Antwerp. As she celebrates her twenty-first birthday this coming October, Zena joins a distinguished group of scholars, becoming the fifth DFL scholar to attend this esteemed institution since our partnership began in 2022.
Zena’s journey has not been easy; growing up in Gaza posed significant challenges that made her educational aspirations difficult to achieve. Yet, her commitment to her community and her passion for the humanities remained steadfast. Inspired by her desire to effect positive change, she learned about the DFL Scholarship program through fellow scholar Rahma Elsayed, which ultimately motivated her to apply.
Her connection to Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish’s story, the foundation’s founder, resonated deeply with her. His personal journey mirrored her own, inspiring her to pursue a future role within the Palestinian government. Zena’s journey to Belgium involved
overcoming numerous logistical hurdles, including the visa application process. Thanks to the dedicated support of DFL and UAntwerp staff, her visa was approved, allowing her to take a significant step toward her academic goals.
“As someone from Gaza, this moment was particularly emotional for me, given the challenges I’ve faced to get here,” Zena expressed. “I am immensely grateful to both Daughters for Life (DFL) and the University of Antwerp for their incredible support throughout the visa application process. Their unwavering efforts made all the difference in expediting my visa. I’m living the dream!”
Meet Ola Redwan
Ola Redwan, a twenty-six-year-old Palestinian with a background in Pharmacy, is embarking on a Master’s in Pharmaceutical Engineering at Ghent University—one of DFL’s newest academic partners. As the first DFL scholar to attend Ghent University, Ola is breaking new ground in her field.
Ola’s passion for pharmacy began in her childhood, driven by a desire to help others take charge of their health. However, the limited specialization options available in Gaza motivated her to seek a program that would equip her with advanced knowledge and skills. Ghent University’s innovative program stood out to her as the perfect fit for her aspirations.
Discovering DFL through its supportive alumni network, Ola connected with one of DFL Alumni, who encouraged her to apply. Despite facing significant challenges during her visa process, DFL and Ghent University worked collaboratively to advocate for her application. After weeks of anticipation, Ola received the news of her visa approval, allowing her to embark on her academic journey.
Reflecting on her experience, Ola remarked, “Being a DFL Scholar is entirely life-changing. This opportunity has reinvigorated my motivation to pursue my academic and professional goals after a period of hardship and uncertainty. I appreciate Ghent University and DFL very much for their efforts in helping me.”
Looking Ahead
Zena and Ola’s stories are powerful testaments to the resilience of Palestinian women striving for education amid war and conflict. Daughters for Life Foundation is proud to play a pivotal role in providing these remarkable young women with the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive and pursue their dreams.
As we welcome Zena and Ola to the heart of Europe, we are excited to support them on their academic journeys.
Stay tuned for part three of our New Scholar Spotlight series, where we will introduce more DFL scholarship recipients for the 2024/25 academic year!