Khaled

#up_to_the_challenge

#the_cause

#the_future

#Identity

“Moral and emotional needs are way more important than materialistic needs.”

Khaled has been through some ups and downs through his life. Some of his experiences were fruitful, while others were painful, but at the end of the day, they made him the person he is today; a person that he cherishes a lot. Khaled believes in roles; the community has its role, the care home has its role, and the youth themselves have a role. He talks on behalf of everyone who’d been marginalized or abused and says “We need to fight for our own rights.” Khaled is a student, an athlete, and a rescue swimmer. At such a young age, he managed to achieve a lot and challenge reality, with the intention of proving himself as talented and capable.

Khaled moved between different jobs searching for what satisfies his passion. About these experiences he says “I learnt a lot; I learnt patience, and the importance of love and certainty. I knew that every opportunity isn’t merely what it is, it’s a blessing from God to learn an important lesson.” Khaled challenged those who thought he wouldn't pass his general secondary school exam. At the same time, Khaled was already at Sanad, which helped him build his confidence and prove them wrong.

“Being with Sanad, I was urged to avoid people who didn’t believe in me or demeaned my abilities.”

Khaled started his journey with Sanad in 2020, when he became a part of the Youth Independence Program that prepares youth and adolescents for an independent life after leaving care. Khaled says “I learnt what my rights and duties were, and how to face ghosts from the past.” In 2021, he joined Mobader (The initiator), a community leadership program organized by Sanad. Through the program, he became aware of his skills and talents and learnt how to set his priorities. With his team, they designed a campaign on the importance of independence and identity, and how for one to tell their own story without fearing judgment. The campaign also discussed the essentiality of knowing one’s rights and duties after leaving the care home at the age of 18. Khaled describes his experience in Mobader and says “I understood the traits of a true leader after working on the execution of the campaign and mobilizing people. I was in a big team, each of us had their own unique story.”

In 2022, Khaled was a part of the PhotoVoice Project, a project on storytelling through photography. He had the opportunity to present his work to the Minister of Social Solidarity . . . “My artwork showed a state of unhappiness, but I shortly knew a way to happiness; it’s through going out to new places and meeting new people.”

Sanad also supported Khaled through a Psychological Support program. He wanted to employ his swimming skills in rescue and teaching, and so he was provided another grant from Sanad for developing his diving and rescue skills. Now he’s a rescue swimmer and a triathlon player.

“We are still trying to fix issues caused by what we’ve lived through in the past.”

When he talks about the past, Khaled says “I was harmed a lot as an orphan, but now I don’t find any shame, and that was my biggest challenge. We all come from different backgrounds, and we have to accept and tolerate each other.” He urges the community to comply with its role regarding the cause, he says that there are still so many unheard voices, undiscovered talents, and aid that is yet to reach those who truly need it, especially in other cities. He stresses on the notion of creating safe spaces and punishing anyone who’d harm an orphan.

After getting his secondary school certificate, Khaled started studying media and journalism, which he’s very passionate about. He is now practicing and training to enter championships inside and outside of Egypt. Khaled ends his talk by saying “Anyone can achieve anything. I know I will make it through believing in myself and putting an effort, InshaaAllah.”