New Coptic Orphans Office Headquarters Opens Doors in Egypt

On the evening of Saturday, July 28th, more than 200 people gathered in Cairo, Egypt for the grand opening of the new Coptic Orphans Egypt office, including several bishops and the guests of honor: Metropolitan Bakhomious of Beheira, Bishop Bemien of Nakada and Qus, and Consul Mahmoud Zaid, the former Egyptian Consul in Washington, DC. The new office will increase the organizational capacity of Coptic Orphans to open new doors of opportunity to many more children in Egypt than have previously been able to participate in Coptic Orphans programs.

By the beginning of the event on Saturday, the office building was full of flowers from all over: from bishops, neighbors, volunteers, and other friends of Coptic Orphans who wished to express their congratulations.

Each guest of honor reflected on the Office opening with short speeches, noting the significance of the work of Coptic Orphans. Bishop Bakhomious spoke about how Coptic Orphans serves the community while bringing unity to the Church by empowering the layperson to exercise his or her gifts among the Body of Christ. Bishop Bemien followed by speaking on the significance of Coptic Orphans’ work across international communities in the Coptic diaspora, and how Coptic Orphans enables the Egyptian diaspora outside Egypt to put their sense of solidarity with their Egyptian brethren into action. Finally, Consul Mahmoud Zaid reflected about his long relationship with Coptic Orphans beginning during his tenure in the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, DC to the present, and commended the commitment of Coptic Orphans to Egypt.

Nermien Riad, the executive director of Coptic Orphans, dedicated the opening to the dedication of volunteers and partners who drive the work of Coptic Orphans and to the perseverance of the children who participate in the programs. Then, she invited the guests of honor to join hands in cutting the ribbon around the new office. Nermien then invited all guests to tour the office and enjoy food and drinks, and a time of fellowship followed.

By the time the opening ended after 11pm, the air was charged with hopefulness and excitement. Everyone present was confident that the office represented more than a new headquarters for Coptic Orphans and will become, in the words of the Coptic Archbishop of Behara in the office opening guestbook, “a headquarters for the spiritual welfare and well-being of the Coptic child” as well as for every vulnerable child in Egypt.