[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”121320″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]02/09/2021 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – When Shokry was just five years old, he and his six siblings suddenly lost their father. Their mother became the main provider for the family by sewing and creating traditional Egyptian clothing and along the way taught her children the craft as well. Now, five years later, Shokry and his 13-year-old brother are seeking work outside their mother’s small business to provide for the family of eight.
Shokry also is one of ICC’s child sponsorship recipients and Hope House attendees. Despite the fact that he must seek out work for the family income, Shokry is lucky that his mother emphasizes the importance of education for her children. While at home he is treated older than he is, at the center he is free to pursue his education and be a child, just as he is. His mother told ICC, “[Hope House] is very useful for my son. My husband died 5 year ago, so it’s hard to afford his studying expenses. I’m focus on my education path of my kids. Shokry read and write well, thanks that the service cares about us.”[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”“`{`Hope House`}` is very useful for my son. My husband died 5 year ago, so it’s hard to afford his studying expenses. I’m focus on my education path of my kids. Shokry read and write well, thanks that the service cares about us.”” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1612790905280{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1612790957430{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
As a result of COVID-19, public schools only operate two days per week. Shokry attends Hope House classes three days per week and then works the remaining two. Because church school falls on a day of work, he cannot attend and only has the time to go to the main church services. With his busy schedule, he barely has time to play with his friends.
It is here, in Shokry’s busy schedule and family stress, that Hope House intercedes. As Shokry’s mother reflected, the teachers at the center are invested in her child’s life and seek their betterment. While many parents and children alike have an aversion to public school and its shortcomings, the center seeks to meet the all-around needs of a child. For Shokry, having a teacher invested in him pushes his own desire to continue his education.
The economic struggle of Christian families is often a manifestation of the religious freedom abuses and persecution that they face. This trickles down to the youngest generations, prompting them to grow up faster, take on more responsibilities, and, in Shokry’s case, become a second parental figure to his siblings. ICC’s prayer in Hope House is to help these Christian families combat the persecution and discrimination that they encounter, and one day, Egypt may see a renewed Christian generation.
See part two coming next week about Shokry’s continued experiences with persecution.
ICC will be highlighting one child from our sponsorship program over the next several weeks, some of whom are still available to sponsor. To learn more about ICC’s Hope House or sponsor a child like Shokry, visit this page.
For interviews please contact Alison Garcia: press@persecution.org
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