The Evangelical Organization Celebrates the Girls Empowerment Project in Upper Egypt with the Participation of “Al-Nidaa” and the U.S. Agency for International Development, with the Attendance of the Minister of Planning and the U.S. Ambassador

Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki:

• “Empowering women is a fundamental right and a necessity for achieving social and economic progress.”
• “The project reflects a developmental vision aimed at empowering girls and achieving sustainable development.”

The Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, in collaboration with Al-Nidaa Foundation for Integrated Development and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), organized a celebration for the Girls Empowerment in Communities project. The event took place at the Mohamed Ali Palace in Cairo, as part of the economic and social empowerment program for girls in Upper Egypt.

The event was attended by Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Minister of International Cooperation, Ambassador Hero Mustafa, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Sean Jones, Director of the USAID Mission in Egypt, Dr. Hiba Hendousa, Founder of Al-Nidaa Foundation for Integrated Development, Sheikh Amr Al-Wardani, Secretary of Fatwa at the Egyptian Dar Al-Ifta, Pastor Bassim Adly, Head of the Assiut Synod at the Nile Evangelical Synod, Sheikh Nasser Sadeq, Director of the Coptic Evangelical Organization in Minya Governorate, Ms. Suzanne Sedky, Director of the Development Sites in Upper Egypt for the Evangelical Organization, and Ms. Hiba Yousry, Program Director at the Dialogue Forum for Cultures at the Coptic Evangelical Organization.

Speeches from Participants:

In his speech, Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Church in Egypt and President of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, expressed his pride in the active participation in this project and his appreciation for the organization’s pivotal role in supporting the most vulnerable groups and enhancing the role of women in society. He affirmed that the organization works to provide a comprehensive developmental model that supports beneficiaries’ living capacities and develops their intellectual awareness, thereby maximizing the impact of developmental work. He added, “Empowering girls and achieving sustainable development are at the heart of this vision,” noting that “Empowering women is a fundamental right and a necessity for achieving social and economic progress.”

For her part, Ms. Samira Louka emphasized the importance of supporting girls and providing them with the necessary skills to become leaders in their communities. She explained that the project promotes positive societal values and contributes to building a cohesive society capable of facing challenges.

Event Activities:

The celebration included an exhibition of handmade products created by the beneficiaries of the project, along with welcoming speeches by Dr. Hiba Hendousa. Ambassador Hero Mustafa and Dr. Rania Al-Mashat delivered speeches about the project’s importance and its role in supporting development. The event also featured a documentary film documenting the project’s achievements, the honoring of youth leaders who contributed to achieving its goals, and a discussion session that addressed the key components of the project and success stories.