by Nermien Riad | Nov 13, 2012 | Issues: The Girl Child, Issues:Education
Basma ran home to her mother crying. On her way back from school, she ran into two bearded men who shouted: “Cover your hair,” attached to other things I can’t mention here. This wasn’t the first time Basma got intimidated going to school. So, her mother tried a... by Nermien Riad | Oct 23, 2012 | Approaches to Charity and Development, Egypt Church-Based Volunteers
Her life was about as difficult as one can imagine. Sixteen-year-old Hala lost her father in 2008. She was living with her mother and two siblings in Helwan, (near Cairo) on a mere 170 Egyptian pounds ($28) per month from her father’s pension. Her little sister was... by Nermien Riad | Oct 17, 2012 | Approaches to Charity and Development
Sherry was sitting at the back of an old microbus after spending a long day going from home to home, checking on the progress of orphaned children in Samalout, and delivering free health insurance cards to children. The cards gave each child rare coverage for high... by Nermien Riad | Sep 12, 2012 | Issues:Education
When I heard that Marina could have entered medical school and declined, I was astounded. She had the scores. She had what it takes. This is every student’s dream. Why would she refuse? It turns out that Marina got into the American University in Cairo with a rare... by Nermien Riad | Jul 11, 2012 | Diaspora
I was having dinner recently with a group of Copts who had just moved to the United States. I asked one of them whether he missed Egypt. “I miss my life in Egypt,” he responded, “but that Egypt is gone. That train has definitely pulled out of the station.” That really...