Coptic Orphans

1. Q: Do you help children in orphanages?
A: While Nermien Riad, Coptic Orphans founder, began her efforts by supporting 45 girls in an orphanage during the late 1980’s, she quickly discovered that it was not enough to address the root causes in orphaned households. When mothers brought their children to the orphanage in hope that the children would have better prospects there than in their own homes, Nermien realized that she needed not only to reach children children who have lost a father, but their entire families, as well. Today, Not Alone works through a grassroots network of hundreds of volunteer Reps nominated by their local bishops who identify children in particular need and give those children the tools not only to overcome their circumstances, but become change-makers in their communities. The Reps work with each child on an individual basis in his or her own home, according to his or her own needs. Our children often live with their widowed mother and siblings, and sometimes if they have lost both parents, with one of their extended family members.

2. Q: Can I adopt a child from Egypt?
A: Unfortunately, we have no means of facilitating adoptions. More information regarding adoption in Egypt can be found on the website of the US State Department.

3. Q: Do you help only Coptic children?
A: In Not Alone, we partner with the Coptic Orthodox Church to work with children under the spiritual care of each bishop. We cannot presently accept children from families who are not under the spiritual care of the Orthodox Church. Nevertheless, in our Valuable Girl Project, which is unrelated to Not Alone or our sponsorship program and funded separately, we are able to welcome all girls to participate, regardless of religious affiliation.

4. Q: How do you identify the children who participate in Not Alone?
A: In Not Alone, each Rep in our network of hundreds of grassroots volunteers identify children from their local communities who have lost at least one parent through death or abandonment and who are in particular need of mentorship, literacy, and basic necessities. Most of the time, a Rep identifies the children from “The Brethren of the Lord” lists of local Coptic parishes, lists that keep track of those in the parish who are in particular need. This way, even identifying children is a grassroots process.

5. Q: If education is the goal of Coptic Orphans, why is it that so many children not matriculate to the university?
A: Education is holistic and embraces life beyond the classroom as well as within it. Learning how to learn and develop, the goal of Coptic Orphan’s nonformal approach to education in our programs, equips a child to face life in all of its facets and aspects, whether that child matriculates to the university, becomes an entrepreneur as an adult, or becomes a homemaker for a family. Our goal is to give children access to the choices that will help them succeed most and the personal development to transform their families, communities, and future generations. Unfortunately, economic realities are such in Egypt that many who graduate from university remain unemployed. As a result, many children choose to matriculate to technical school instead of university to gain practical skills that are much more marketable in the Egyptian job market. Also, the Egyptian school system puts children on a particular track from very early. Coptic Orphans aims at taking each child where he or she is and lifting that child to fulfill his or her potential: yet because many of the children in our programs are illiterate when they become participants, the best way to reach their potential often involves alternative educational tracks.

Sponsorship Frequently Asked Questions