12/20/2004 - AFS Egypt Promotes Volunteerism

On December 9th, The American University in Cairo launched a campaign to promote volunteering among AUC students. AFS Egypt was invited to participate in their Community Service Day where AFS promoted their Community Service Program as well as hosting and volunteering opportunities.

Dalia Sherif, Hosting Coordinator, Sameh Khalil, volunteer, and Sara Awad, a YES from 2003 also participated in the presentation.

Most remarkable was the number of AFS returnees, ex-host families and international students who went on AFS before coming to Egypt who approached the AFS Egypt booth and happily shared their AFS stories, evidence of the lasting impact AFS has on its students, families and communities.

But there was still a lot of work ahead for AFS Egypt. The following Sunday, AFS Egypt participated in an NGO exhibition at the Cairo International Conference Hall, hosted by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) to promote volunteerism in Egypt. UNV is part of the United Nations Development Program, an organization that supports sustainable human development globally by promoting volunteerism and by mobilizing volunteers.

H.E. the First Lady Suzanne Mubarak toured the NGO exhibition accompanied by a number of Ministers and Representatives of the People’s Assembly. The Ministers of Youth and Social Affairs also expressed interest in AFS’ organization and activities.

Hoda Mahmoud, AFS Egypt Program Director and Rania Atwan, AFS Egypt Sending Coordinator introduced AFS Egypt’s activities, focusing mainly on the YES Program, and year-long and Community Service Programs.

More than half of the young people who visited the exhibit showed an interest in AFS and came away with brochures and a new found interest in intercultural exchange.

The largest national newspapers and television channels covered the events of the day, and AFS Egypt’s contact information is now displayed at the UNV office.