[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”124538″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]05/18/2021 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – Marina looks back at her time thus far with Hope House fondly, recalling playing with her classmates, swinging on the swings, spending time with her teachers, and even visiting a swimming pool for a summer field trip. She is still a part of Hope House and the child sponsorship program, though the past year has looked quite different for her.
Her father lives several hours away in Cairo, where he worked and sent money back home to his wife, Marina, and Marina’s four siblings. Just before COVID-19 hit Egypt, Marina’s father had heart surgery. “Thank God I had open-heart surgery before the pandemic started. I am under heavy medication and still recovering, so I can’t work. My eldest son, Lamy (16 years old), takes care of our family for now,” her father told ICC. While her father was still recovering from heart surgery, he contracted COVID-19. His medical situation placed additional emotional and financial strain on the family. He is currently healing from COVID-19 and is stable, but the family expressed their continued concern for him. Lamy, Marina’s older brother, remains the head of the family, seeking out work wherever he can.
As a young girl, Marina would not be expected to help provide income for the family, but she could easily be expected to help a lot around the home. Marina commented, “I help my mother to wash clothes and dishes. But she said to me please don’t do that, I don’t you to be thin, may your weight increase.” Marina’s parents continue to encourage her to protect her health and education.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”“The `{`Hope House`}` center blesses us. My kids depend on the teaching in the center because of the lack of education in the public school.“” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1620924763365{margin-top: 50px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1620924790702{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
“The [Hope House] center blesses us. My kids depend on the teaching in the center because of the lack of education in the public school,” Marina’s father told ICC. As the center reopened a few months ago, Marina expressed her special interest in regaining her literacy classes, and she dreams of reading and writing fluently. Even now, her mother can see the impact of the Hope House education. Marina’s mother said, “Marina got better because of it. Her sister bought her books from the library, now she can read and write.”
Marina joyfully looks forward to what her future may hold for her. She recently took exams for the first time in a year and commented, “the history and geography were easy test and the Math too. But the Arabic was hard. I dream of being a doctor to heal my father.” Her life situations, though potentially burdensome, have encouraged her to see hope and dream about what she may be capable of.
To learn more about ICC’s Hope House or provide a financial gift, visit this page. To inquire about sponsoring a child, contact ICC at icc@persecution.org.
For interviews please contact Addison Parker: press@persecution.org
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