The scholarship is awarded in memory of my beloved son Atif Siddique, who passed away in March 2014, a few months before he became a teenager. Atif was a passionate, loving son and a caring brother. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 10 years and returned to his Creator following failed attempts of various types of conventional and alternate treatments as his tumor was an aggressive type 4 medulloblastoma. True to his name, which translates to compassion, he was a compassionate, cheerful and God fearing son. He was a smart student whose favorite subject was mathematics. He loved playing chess and basketball, was keen in maintaining consistency in religious studies and was a motivator for his siblings.
During this short period of treatment, we have been moved by the love and support extended by many people from various parts of the world, both known and unknown. We, as Atif’s family, know that a child suffering from cancer affects the entire family.
We recognize the need for extending emotional and financial support to the children as well as the affected families in order to cope with this life-altering disease. The expensive treatments of the cancer patient: from surgery to radiation to chemotherapy poses a drain on financial resources, especially for the less fortunate families. His family was inspired to do something in his memory for other children suffering from life-threatening diseases and the Atif Siddique Foundation was created with this objective in mind.
Atif was eager to attend school even during his treatment. Education is fundamental to uplift individuals and families out of their troubles, but we know that pursuing this goal is difficult when given a life-threatening diagnosis. For this reason, we feel that supporting the education of sick children is the right cause to pursue. By providing families with the necessary financial support, we aim to make small differences to these less fortunate children by enabling them to pursue their education and to create their own destinies.
The ASF scholarship will help children diagnosed with cancer or who have bravely fought similar battles to achieve great things and realize their dreams by continuing their education.
Scholarships are available to high school students, high school graduates starting college and college students. The scholarship is a yearly award of up to Rs 20000 and a 100% sponsorship if required for exceptional students are also available. Scholarship funds may be used for education related expenses, including tuition, books, school supplies, room and board and transportation or supporting home schooling and can be paid to academic institutions, students or parents accordingly.
Father of Atif Siddique,
Sidheeque K. Machingal