Blog
Education, Education, Education — That’s the Key
It's a muggy day in Matay, but no one hesitates to hug and crowd together for a photo. Here in Middle Egypt, girls and young women are used to the heat. It's just another challenge for these participants in the Valuable Girl Project, like coping with run-down schools,...
Empowering Girls & Strengthening Partners, Tamkeen-Style
I'm writing to share exciting news about our work with grassroots community groups in Egypt. This is happening through a new phase of Tamkeen, a Coptic Orphans project that works with these groups to empower young women in some of Egypt's most remote and...
The Libya Martyrs’ Children: An Update on the Difference You’re Making
I’m writing to update you on Coptic Orphans’ support for the children of the 21 martyrs in Libya. This story actually begins 16 years ago, when we met with H.G. Bishop Pevnotios. Most of the Libya martyrs’ children weren’t even alive then. But today, you will find...
‘I Saw God’s Hand Clearly Working in My Life’ — Serve to Learn Contest Winner Julianne Youssef
Dear Friends, Good news from Egypt — Serve to Learn is happening right now, in classrooms and homes in Egypt! To give you an idea of the volunteers' motivations, today I’d like to share part of a winning submission to our essay contest by Julianne Youssef. She's an...
‘Egypt Truly Is a Land of Miracles and Blessings’ — Serve to Learn Essay Contest Winner Crestin Andrews
Dear Friends, Serve to Learn is now under way in Egypt! To celebrate, today I'd like to share with you part of a winning submission to our essay contest by one of the Serve to Learn volunteers. The writer, Crestin Andrews, is one of two talented people who won a free...
Stop Killing Little Girls! New Campaign Points to Need for Unity in Fight Against FGM
A new campaign to stop female genital mutilation (FGM) in Egypt is adding urgency to our efforts to stop this lethal and barbaric practice. The government is enlisting doctors and judges in a "National FGM Strategy" with the aim of reducing FGM by 10-15% over the next...
‘Pray for Me’
Dear Friends, I'm excited about the upcoming Serve to Learn trip, which runs July 3-25! In the run-up to that trip, and the next one in early 2016, I'd like to share one of the most moving accounts I've ever read about Serve to Learn. Gabrielle Salib sums up the best...
Coptic Orphans Earns Highest 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator
I'm writing today with good news: Coptic Orphans' sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned us a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the fourth consecutive...
Charleston and Samalout: The Connection That Surprises the World
Yesterday, an intolerant, hate-filled extremist murdered nine Christians — most of them women — as they prayed in their church. Our prayers are with them and their families. It happened in Charleston, South Carolina. But as a Copt, I had to think: "Sounds too...
National Review Interview on Coptic Orphans, Egypt & Christians in the Middle East
I'm glad to share the news that Kathryn Jean Lopez, senior fellow at the National Review Institute, recently interviewed me on the situation in Egypt. This came about because I was fortunate enough to meet her at the March 18, 2015 press event of In Defense of...
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