Power in Every
Hand
Because of your generosity, thousands of children in Egypt didn't just receive an education — they became leaders, changemakers, and the hands rebuilding their own communities.
Dear Friend,
As we look back on 2025, I am humbled by what God has accomplished through your generosity. Because of you, thousands of children were not only educated—they became leaders and changemakers. They repaired neglected spaces, launched technology projects, and uplifted entire communities.
In 2025 alone, our children led over 13,000 community initiatives, impacting more than 876,000 lives. These achievements are not ours alone, they are yours. Your faith and generosity propelled this mission forward, creating a ripple far greater than I ever imagined.
Your support is helping 24% of the most vulnerable orphans of Egypt escape poverty. In 2026, I look forward to continuing this mission with you and equipping the next generation to build a dignified and prosperous future for Egypt.
Thank you for being the cornerstone of this mission and for believing in the power of every child.
With gratitude,
Nermien Riad
Free to grow into their God-given potential
Coptic Orphans is a Christian international development organization guided by the belief that every child is created in the image of God. Our mission is to free children from poverty and help them grow into their potential by investing in their education.
Our donors are the heroes — helping transform children’s lives while experiencing their own personal transformation as they witness the impact of their generosity.
24%
Eradicated poverty for 24% of the most vulnerable orphans in Egypt.
100k
Empowered over 100,000 children through education.
900+
Served 900 villages with more than 1,000 local volunteers.
2.5x
Children in our programs are 2.5 times more likely to attend and graduate university.
345
Scholarships awarded to attend Egypt’s top universities.
26.5k
Harnessed the goodwill of 26,500 donors in the diaspora to support their homeland.
UN ECOSOC
Granted Consultative Status, the highest ranking for NGOs.
In 2025, our children paid it forward
Uplifting 876,000 others with their own acts of service — this is the power of a child empowered.
0 Children volunteered
0 Volunteer initiatives completed
0 Community members benefitedMoments of Impact from 2025
Read more about some key areas where our collective efforts led to meaningful, positive change in 2025.
“Playing Jesus in The Chosen has led me here to the banks of the Nile in Egypt, embarking on a journey with Coptic Orphans, exploring this ancient land, my own roots, and the resilience of the Coptic people, especially the 21 Martyrs of Libya. Along this journey, I've gotten to experience testimonies of faith that will stay with me forever. I’ve seen Coptic Orphans’ impact firsthand. This is not just support, it’s transformation in action.”
Jonathan Roumie
Lead Actor in The ChosenA reflection from his trip to Egypt with Coptic Orphans
“Sustainable impact is not measured solely in educational outcomes or economic indicators, but in trust—the simple question from a girl, ‘Will you come back?’ carried the weight of a profound plea not to be forgotten. This is the immense emotional labor Coptic Orphans performs daily: entering lives with constancy and care, dismantling shame through dignity, and transforming charity into empowerment.”
Mariola Marzouk
Coptic Orphans Board of Directors, United KingdomA reflection from the 2025 Board of Directors Trip to Egypt
“My most memorable moment was visiting my sponsored family in Shoubra El Khema. I left their home thinking, yes, they are poor, but indeed, they are rich. I am deeply grateful to Coptic Orphans for faithfully fulfilling their mission to serve widows and orphans, and for inspiring hope, love, and change within us, urging us to fulfill our own duty toward God’s children.”
Father David Hanna
St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, Illinois, USAA reflection from his recent visit to the Coptic Orphans sites in Egypt
Not Alone Program
Empowering Children in Egypt
Our flagship Not Alone Program empowers children in Egypt through education and mentorship. Through nearly 200,000 home visits by Volunteer Reps, children received guidance in their studies and support for their family needs, while widowed mothers gained skills to better provide for their families. This personalized care ensures every child can grow into a confident changemaker.
Fostering a Spirit of Volunteerism
The “Make a Difference” Initiative empowers youth from Grade 5 through university to lead community service projects with a 300 EGP stipend. Guided by Reps, children choose from a variety of activities including visiting the sick and distributing meals to the elderly.
In Minya, a group learned the Oncology Institute urgently needed an IV stand and wheelchair. The children pooled their stipends and rallied friends until they raised 10,000 EGP—fully funding the equipment. Stories like this multiplied across Egypt.[cite: 1] More than 10,000 children participated in the initiative, completing service activities that touched the lives of nearly 110,000 community members.
Valuable Girl Project
A Powerful Cycle of Learning
In partnership with local Community Development Associations (CDAs), the Valuable Girl Project connects girls in a powerful cycle of learning and leadership across five governorates. University-aged Big Sisters mentor Little Sisters through tutoring and skill-building sessions, while gaining tools to lead and transform their communities.
Empowering Young Girls as Changemakers
In 2025, 1,400 Big Sisters launched 150 initiatives that benefited 766,000 community members—but one stood out. Luxor’s Salah Salem Train Tunnel was so dark and unsafe that women and girls avoided it, taking longer, costlier routes. That changed when Rola and 16 of her peers repaired the tunnel, installed lights, and painted murals.
Transforming Neglected Spaces
Today, 1,000 women cross safely each day.
Today, the Luxor Salah Salem Tunnel stands as a vibrant landmark, its murals telling a story of young women transforming their communities.
Diaspora Engagement
Reconnecting with Heritage
The 21 and Serve to Learn are three‑week service trips that bring Copts from the diaspora back to Egypt to serve children.[cite: 1] Volunteers teach English to young students, visit families in their homes, and rediscover their heritage through service.
Families Embrace Better Nutrition
In 2025, alongside their regular English lessons and home visits, the Fellows of The 21 and Serve to Learn volunteers carried out a one-time nutrition education initiative to help address Egypt’s long‑standing child malnutrition challenges. Through hands‑on lessons with mothers and children, they taught balanced eating, the dangers of ultra‑processed foods, and how to prepare affordable, nutritious meals.
Mothers’ nutrition knowledge increased by 25%, and households saw a one‑third reduction in ultra‑processed food consumption. Fellows also witnessed meaningful behavior shifts—children choosing healthier snacks, bringing less junk food to class, and even teaching their parents.[cite: 1]