During the past
20 years, the Not Alone program has empowered thousands of
children to become literate, stay in
school, and
graduate to become change-makers in their communities.
But the accomplishments
we are most proud of are the most difficult to attain or to express
in numbers: changing hearts and minds.
That’s the
cornerstone of the Not Alone program. If we can change hearts,
children can change their own lives and the lives of those around
them.
When we recently held
a reading workshop outdoors for the first time in recently Alexandria,
we saw the results of those efforts.
At the recent
reading workshop in Alexandria children from the city and its surrounding
villages went to an outdoor public library where they browsed books
and learned about reading. They also chose books that Coptic Orphans
had provided for the children to take home with them.
 |
Two girls enjoy their
new books |
Staff from
the local library attended the workshop and commented: “your children
[in the Not Alone program] are different from other children.
They are inquisitive and they like reading.”
The library staff
also commented on how, in contrast to the way most authority figures
and children interact in Egypt, the Reps and staff treated the children
respectfully. The library staff was surprised at how the children
responded with the same level of respect to Reps, staff, and each
other.
Not Alone children really do have hearts awakened to curiosity and a love
of reading, as well as respect for others.
 |
Discovering the joy of
reading through the joy of play and being together |
Life is always
full of unexpected obstacles.
With these character
traits our children will be able to adapt to difficult circumstances
and succeed no matter what life brings their way.
The children at
the workshop enjoyed a puppet show and organized their own outdoor
games after choosing books.
“I can’t wait
to do it again!” one child said after the workshop, a bright smile
on his face and a new book eagerly in hand.
