Diala’s life changed when she lost her five-year-old baby Karim in an accident.

“The unbearable pain of losing him in an accident was the catalyst behind my drive to change. Life is difficult, mostly because we expect it to be easy and trouble-free. As sentient beings, we tend to shy away from worries and complications, chasing happiness that always seems to be fleeting. This very aversion to problems is, I believe, the main reason for our suffering. I learnt this the hard way”

Along the way of processing grief, she realized that she truly wanted to honor little Karim. And like a phoenix, she rose, channeling the pain into a constructive outlet that would cherish his memory and nurture his spirit.

Three months later, Tamanna was born.

Tamanna is a non-profit organization with mission to grant the wishes of children suffering from critical illnesses. Turning a wish into reality empowers the child to fight back, giving him hope and happiness in times of great stress and hardship. Any child between 3 and 18 years of age with a life-threatening illness, residing or being treated in Lebanon, is eligible for a wish. Tamanna covers all hospitals across the country, spreading its magic everywhere. Wishes are served without regard to nationality, religion, or socio-economic background. With over 2270 wishes granted since inception, Tamanna not only makes a positive impact on these children by introducing a sprinkle of magic and happiness into their lives, but it also helps their families by giving them strength and hope.

In the words of Diala,“My work with Tamanna has brought me the most unforeseen gift: the joy of finding a reason to live. I learned that giving truly is the gift that keeps on giving”

She never expected that bringing happiness to others would bring her back to life, but that’s exactly what happened. Diala’s message to all grieving women is to embrace their pain. “We women are survivors and resilience is inherent to our nature. Let your pain become your drive, feel it, acknowledge it and channel it into bringing positive change around you. Never give up, always move forward.”

There’s an old African adage that says:

“The wind does not break a tree that bends - and to me, this epitomises how we should deal with our pain. Fighting it is useless and pain will eventually get the best of you. Instead, accept it and learn to live with it; go with this flow and see where it takes you. Wallowing in grief will not bring back who or what you have lost, it will only drain you, taking a toll on everyone around you in its wake. Do not waste your energy on trying to change the immutable, stop feeling guilty for every happy moment you live, change your perspective and move forward.”

Diala El Fil’s life is nothing short of a Phoenix’s Flight. She has endured, coped, fought back and rose from some extreme losses and her vision that was born from it doesn't fail to generate tremendous respect. They say flowers rarely grow in deserts, and when they do, they’re a climatic phenomenon.

True to her name, Diala stands as a flower in the desert, a true phenomenon from Lebanon.