Wave of Promise: Siblings Scholarship

It is with immense pride and deep emotion that we announce Manha Jamal as the very first recipient of the Wave of Promise Bereaved Sibling Scholarship Award. This sibling scholarship was created to honor the strength and resilience of bereaved siblings—and Manha’s story is one of extraordinary love, loss, and purpose. Manha didn’t just lose a sibling; she lost her twin brother, Abdullah, at birth—a loss that forever shaped her world before it even began. Twin loss is a uniquely profound grief, representing the absence of someone who was supposed to be your lifelong mirror, your other half. Yet, Manha has carried that invisible bond with her every single day, allowing it to inspire and guide her. A recent high school graduate, Manha has amazed us with her brilliance, determination, and compassion. She is fluent in six languages, volunteering in the fast-paced environment of the Northwest Hospital Emergency Department and NICU, serving as committee chair in the Green Club, where she researched the prevalence of hazardous chemicals in the Chesapeake Bay, and interning at the NSA Department of Defense, just to name a few of her many accomplishments. Her letters of recommendation were filled with praise—not just for her academic excellence, but for her leadership, kindness, and sense of purpose. This fall, Manha will begin her journey at UMBC, where she plans to pursue a double major in Bio Genetic Engineering using AI and Gynecology/Obstetrics. Her dream is not just to become a doctor but to walk with families through some of life’s most delicate moments—the very moments that changed her own life forever. What makes Manha’s path even more powerful is that she walks it not alone, but in memory. Her twin’s presence lives in everything she does. In her own words: “One day, I know you will be my stethoscope's silent strength, the urgency in my stride. Wherever I go, I'll take two hearts with me: one that beats, one that I recall. And when I finally hold a crying newborn in my own arms, I'll know, somehow—you held me first.” Manha Jamal has exceeded every expectation and deeply moved our entire selection committee. She represents exactly what the Wave of Promise stands for: the ability to turn unimaginable pain into a future filled with purpose, service, and hope. We are honored to welcome Manha into the Sea of Hope Foundation family and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her. Her light, strength, and story will continue to inspire us—and so many others—for years to come. Please join us in celebrating Manha and honoring all bereaved siblings as they pave the way to a brighter future. We hope her journey serves as a beacon for those wondering how to lose hope scholarship opportunities can uplift lives.