Not Alone: Educate 300 Orphans in Egypt

Meet Semon (center)—she grew up in Sharona Island, a remote village in Minya, Egypt with no paved roads, hospitals, or secondary schools. The only way to reach the main city is via a single Nile ferry.

For years, isolation and limited opportunities meant that many children were unable to continue their education or imagine futures beyond the island. Girls often fall risk to harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation.

When Semon was six, her father passed away from cancer, and her family moved in with her relatives. With few resources and intense pressure on her mother to marry her off, Semon’s future seemed painfully limited. But her mother stood firm, determined to protect her daughter’s future.

And that’s when your generosity made all the difference.

Semon joined the Not Alone Program, where she received educational support, mentorship, and the stability she needed to stay in school. She not only completed high school—she excelled.

With the guidance of her Volunteer Representative, Semon earned a scholarship to study Industrial Chemistry at Assiut University, graduating at the top of her class. Her achievements led her to Novosibirsk State University in Russia, where she completed her master’s in Chemistry with distinction in 2023.

Today, Semon is pursuing a PhD in green energy, and she is on track to graduate at the end of this year.

Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “The program changed many lives, and I’m one of them. To put this in perspective, all eleven of my childhood friends are now married with children. I am the only one to pursue higher education at this level."

Last year, Semon traveled to Australia to share her story, becoming the first Coptic Orphans graduate ever to visit Australia.

This is the impact of your giving. You gave Semon the tools, care, and confidence to chase a future no one thought possible for a girl from Sharona.

Today, Semon is a role model for every girl in her village. "I wish people would value their daughters and understand how important it is to educate them," Semon shared.

You can help make Semon’s dream a reality for hundreds more girls. If you’d like to be part of the next success story, consider making a gift today.