Recommendation from An Expert in the Field

June 13, 2006

Global Giving

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to recommend Coptic Orphans’ Valuable Girl Project for inclusion on the Global Giving website. Coptic Orphans is one of the organizations I am studying as part of a research program on diasporas and development. In addition to my interviews and contact with them here in the Washington area, I had the privilege of visiting their offices and the Valuable Girl Project in Cairo.

As I mentioned to Nermien Riad and Phoebe Farag after my visit, the professionalism of their staff and the commitment of their volunteers in Cairo were exceedingly impressive. And yet, these attributes almost pale in comparison to the importance of what the Valuable Girl Project is accomplishing.

As an international development specialist, I was struck by the many and varied objectives that the Valuable Girl Project simultaneously addresses. By bringing girls together in mentoring relationships, the project clearly has the potential to assist in their social adjustment, sense of identity, and community all in the immediate term. At the same time, the emphasis on education and support for keeping young girls in school, lays the groundwork for a lifetime of education, subsequent generations of educated children, and families that are healthier and have more economic opportunities.

Another (unanticipated on my part) aspect of the project is bringing together children of different faiths. At the time of my visit, there was a near fifty-fifty distribution of Copts and Muslims among the young girls in the Cairo program. During my visit, I saw first-hand how the mentors took one girl of each religion under their wing. My pictures attest to the affection expressed among all of the children, particularly between the mentors and their protégés, and most beautifully among Christians and Muslims.

Finally, I would like to comment on the general model and efficiency of Coptic Orphans’ programs. As I mentioned, my areas of specialization are international development, and also nonprofit management. Coptic Orphans’ programming is consistent with our understanding of best practice in both of these areas. Rather than relying on welfare alone, they integrate development aims, wisely addressing immediate needs as a means to ensure longer term enhanced quality of life. Their overhead is very minimal. In considering the proverbial “bang for the buck” I’m certain that Coptic Orphans outshines the majority of nonprofits not only in Egypt but in many places in the world. And, most importantly, they rely on the local community to both determine and participate in their own development. In the Valuable Girl Project, reliance on local mentors rather than external volunteers ensures significant trust and community-building that will be sustained long after the participation of individual girls comes to an end.

I cannot imagine a more suitable organization to feature on your website. I would be more than happy to discuss the organization and its programs with you directly, should you have any questions or require further information. I can be reached at 202-994-3598 or at jbrink@gwu.edu.

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff
Associate Professor, Public Administration and International Affairs
School of Public Policy and Public Administration
George Washington University