Valuable Girl: Empower 100,000 Girls in Egypt

When the sun went down in one village in Minya, the darkness came quickly.

Streetlights flickered or didn’t work at all. Some roads had no lighting whatsoever. Walking at night felt unsafe, especially for women, children, and the elderly. Accidents became common.

Daytime brought different challenges.

Each morning, children and adults gathered at bus stops, waiting to get to school or work. There was nowhere to sit or shelter from the harsh sun in the summer or the rain in the winter.

For years, residents adapted to these living conditions until a group of girls decided they shouldn’t have to.

Twenty-five girls and young women from the Valuable Girl Project came together and stopped waiting for someone else to act.

Over the course of two months, the girls walked their village street by street. They conducted site visits, took notes, and identified roads with broken or missing lighting. They spoke with residents and listened carefully to their concerns.

Then, they took their findings to local authorities.

With confidence and preparation, the girls presented the problem and proposed clear solutions. They followed the approval process step by step and coordinated timelines for repairs.

By the end of their efforts, nearly 30 new streetlights had been installed. Another dozen existing lamps were repaired.

“The most beautiful moment,” said Aya, 19, “was when we saw the first lamp light up.”

But the girls didn’t stop there.

During their site visits, they found that along the main agricultural road—a busy transportation hub—commuters stood exposed to the elements, waiting for rides in and out of the village.

Once again, the girls worked with local authorities to build a waiting area for commuters.

The shelter now offers shade, seating, and relief from harsh weather. For many residents, it transformed an exhausting wait into a manageable part of the day.

“We worked with our own hands and learned how to turn a simple idea into something that benefits people,” said Nermine, 12.

In total, the streetlights and shelter benefitted 14,000 residents in their village.

When young women are trusted, equipped, and encouraged to lead, they change their communities.

You can help make more stories like this possible. If you feel moved to be part of that impact, we invite you to make a donation today.

"Imagine you’re in a helicopter looking over your country. What changes do you want to see?"

That question sparked action among 1,500 university-aged women in the Coptic Orphans Valuable Girl Project (VGP). After two years of leadership and skill-building training, they were challenged to launch initiatives that would improve life in their villages.

Thanks to your support, these young women completed 143 projects in 2025 alone—from delivering aid to families in need to installing streetlights for public safety. But one initiative stood out: the renovation of the Salah Salem train tunnel in Luxor, led by Rola and 16 of her peers.

The Problem

The tunnel, a vital link between Luxor’s East and West sides, was unclean, unlit, and unsafe. Women and girls avoided it, choosing longer, costlier routes that took four times the length of time—risking accidents along the way.

The Plan

After assessing community needs, Rola worked with her team to propose a bold solution:

• Clean the tunnel and repair stairs
• Install lights and security cameras
• Paint murals celebrating Luxor’s heritage

With guidance from VGP mentors, the girls presented their plan to the Civil Council Chairman. Initially skeptical, he soon became their biggest supporter:

"At first, I thought they wouldn’t follow through. But their determination surprised me—I had to help them in any way I could." —Civil Council Chairman

The Transformation

Working from sunrise to sunset for a week, the young women turned a dark, dangerous passage into a vibrant, safe walkway. They adorned the walls with pharaonic murals featuring women, symbolizing empowerment and pride.

"We repainted the tunnel with love. We worked nonstop for a week, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., drawing designs that honor Luxor’s history." — Rola, project leader

The grand opening was held on October 6, a national day of heroism. Today, 1,000 women use the tunnel daily—many for the first time in years:

"Since I got married, I never crossed it. But now, what was once a place of fear is a place of joy." — Luxor resident

Word of the renovation spread quickly—so much so that the Governor of Luxor attended the grand opening, alongside the Founder and Executive Director of Coptic Orphans. At the ceremony, the Governor praised their work:

"These initiatives reflect the spirit of ordinary citizens. The girls turned a neglected tunnel into a beautiful landmark that honors Luxor’s heritage." —Governor of Luxor

Impact Beyond a Tunnel

What started as a dream became proof of what young women can achieve with the tools and confidence to lead. With your support, they didn’t just restore a tunnel—they created a path to safety and empowerment for thousands.

Today, the Luxor Salah Salem Tunnel stands as a vibrant landmark, its murals telling a story of young women transforming their communities.

Thank you for empowering these young women to turn their skills and passion into positive change. If Rola’s story inspires you, we invite you to join us in supporting this cause and helping more young changemakers thrive.