by Nermien Riad | May 14, 2015 | Approaches to Charity and Development, Diaspora
People get a lot of ideas about Coptic Orphans, some of them reasonable, some of them nutty. Here are the four most common things I hear about Coptic Orphans that make me want to explain, or point to things in our annual report, or tear out my hair. 1. Coptic Orphans... by Nermien Riad | May 10, 2015 | "The Widow's Cause", Approaches to Charity and Development, Issues:Education
Good news about Egypt is precious these days, so I wanted to share a few wonderful developments that give me a feeling of hope. I came across the following news this morning in Save the Children’s new State of the World’s Mothers report, and I thought,... 
by Nermien Riad | Apr 17, 2015 | Approaches to Charity and Development
Flying over the Mediterranean this week, it was hard to forget the sight of the 21 martyrs’ blood mixing with the sea as they gave up their souls to Christ. During this Feast of the Resurrection, I was struck by another sea image. It was one of a boat, which I... 
by Nermien Riad | Mar 10, 2015 | Approaches to Charity and Development, Issues:Education
Who was Islam Sharif, and what does his death mean for Coptic Orphans? We know little about him, except that he died after a severe beating from his teacher. He was punished for not doing his homework. He passed away on Sunday in Cairo, at 12 years old, of a brain... 
by Nermien Riad | Feb 26, 2015 | Approaches to Charity and Development, Diaspora
By murdering the 21 martyrs on camera, the Islamic State wanted to make us a passive audience for their theater of horrors. But against their own intentions, in trying to tell their story, the killers presented us with a clear choice and an important opportunity to... 
by Nermien Riad | Feb 11, 2015 | "The Widow's Cause", Approaches to Charity and Development
I’m in Egypt now, seeing the faces of all our old friends. Their welcome is like the tea — it’s the warmest, it’s the sweetest, and it never changes. At the same time, the challenges facing our brothers and sisters in Christ are really evident...