Serve to Learn volunteers say they return home with a new perspective on life.
It’s not what you expect.
Yes, the basic facts are simple: Serve to Learn is a unique Coptic Orphans program that connects young people from around the globe to Egypt, and this summer it will run July 4-26. When you take part, you’ll lead activities in English and share a journey of self-discovery and transformation with the children and communities of Egypt.
Sounds straightforward enough, right? But the reality is complex and the rewards go beyond what you could predict. You may be left with experiences that shape your thinking for a lifetime. Here’s what Serve to Learn volunteer Jimmy Bebawy says:
You go in thinking, ‘These kids look so happy… but they’re poor, so how could they really be happy?’ By the end of it, the tables turn. You know they are truly happy and you wonder, ‘Am I really happy?’ … I realized that my idea of happiness was only a 55” flat screen TV and an X-Box 360. But they have a heavenly happiness that I could not wrap my mind around. It sounds cliché, but I really mean this: I served at about a D- level. But I received at an A+ level from the children. I could not have paid any sum of money for what they gave me.
So how does it work? As a volunteer, you’ll travel to Egypt to one of several sites that range from bustling metropolises along the Mediterranean coast and Nile delta, to rugged villages deep in the country’s heart. Bishops from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt will offer you hospitality for the duration of the journey. At the site to which you’re assigned, you’ll inspire vulnerable children by teaching English. And you’ll experience firsthand the injustices of child poverty by visiting the kids you teach in their own homes.
On the fence? Here’s another view of what Serve to Learn is like, this time coming to you from participant Lara Gerges:
People treated us like stars – not even as honored guests. I have yet to see warmth and love in a home like the homes we have visited … simple yet majestic!
Here’s one last way to look at it: You’re really needed. Your English skills can help boost the education of a young Egyptian, and just as importantly, help them understand that the rest of the world cares what happens to them in Egypt. So apply today. You can read more at our Serve to Learn FAQ, and fill out an application by clicking here. If you find yourself with questions, feel free to write Shereen Ibrahim. She can tell you more.
Again, it’s not what you expect. But that’s what makes Serve to Learn unique. You’ll return from it feeling fulfilled in ways you could never predict. Apply today!