Sahar

#brave

“People say that you can’t give what you never had. I don’t believe in that.”

Sahar’s life was full of challenges. It started by her moving to an orphanage at the age of nine after having lived with her biological family. She was the only girl in an all-boys orphanage; there came her second challenge, as she had to learn how to protect her personal space and privacy at such a young age. Her caregivers didn’t understand that she had a serious problem expressing the crisis she’s been going through, so she was moved to an orphanage for children with disabilities. At that moment, she strongly objected, confirming that she doesn’t need that kind of care. She moved to an all-girls orphanage at the age of 17, where she was almost 10 years older than all her sisters. Sahar felt a great deal of loneliness throughout these different stages. She fought hard to adapt and move on. She subconsciously decided to break this chain of suffering, when she herself became a mother.

“I had a problem with most of the caregivers; taking care of us was merely their job.”

Sahar noticed how each caregiver gave a different kind and amount of attention to her and her sisters, she says “They weren’t genuinely protective of us, It was simply their job to take care of us, and after a while, they would change.” Sahar had the things she needed, but no one paid attention to her emotional and psychological needs . . . “They weren't careful with what we truly need, or what’s our purpose, or what we’d like to do in the future. Our human needs were totally neglected.”

Sahar wasn’t given a lot of options regarding her studies. She studied tourism and hospitality in secondary school, and information systems at the university. She had an interest in working with children with hearing and speaking disabilities; she wanted to do anything to ease their communication process. She learnt sign language and started a blog addressing that cause.

Time passed, and her dreams changed as she became interested in computer sciences. Then they changed again, after joining Forsa (An Opportunity); one of Sanad’s first programs targeting youth to help them find their true talents. During that program she was certain that her one and only passion is Art.

“After Forsa, I learnt how to know and find what I need and want. Even if it seemed unachievable now.”

Forsa was a journey of self-discovery, where young people could find their first steps toward what they want in life. During the program, Sahar learnt video editing and directing, and was granted a training opportunity. About that phase she says “Sanad was my rescue at that time.” Later, she got another chance to be trained at Hany Mahfouz Designs Co. Sahar then joined Sanad’s Youth Forum, where young people meet with a team from Sanad monthly to know about more jobs and learning opportunities. Through the forum, she got another training opportunity in Giza Systems. “During my training I became certain that I can do anything I want. I Knew that I don’t like bureaucratic jobs, and I learnt to put myself as a top priority.” says Sahar. Recently she participated in the Storytelling program facilitated by Sanad. The program helped her understand certain elements related to psychological and mental health, and she gained a lot of confidence expressing herself . . . “I learnt how to tell my own story, without fearing judgment . . . how to tell it effectively and make people listen.”

“Sanad is an open door for more learning. I’m sure it will play an important role in my future life.”

After graduating in 2012, Sahar realized the importance of having a job and planning for the future. She worked in the Inspection and PR department of El-Orman Foundation, and was then promoted to work in the family and childhood department . . . “At that time, I would try to facilitate the needs of my brothers and sisters. I was happy because I was in a position where I could fight for their rights.” She worked in the Ministry of Social Solidarity during the establishment of a hot-line for orphans, where orphans helped and supported each other.

Sahar started to work with Sanad in 2021, as a coordinator in the administration of Orphanages’ Development. She recalls the lessons she learnt at Sanad whenever she faces a new crisis, she remembers concepts like contentment and determination . . . “At Sanad, I developed a strong will, I learnt how to reach my goals without hurting other people.” Sahar considers her job a great opportunity to learn the fundamental rules of healthy parenting, and she applies them to her sisters and her daughter.

Sahar lives with her mother in law, whom she loves deeply. She learnt a lot from her, yet she’s still dreaming of stability in her own home. She’s determined to create change through raising her daughter with love, she says “I don’t want to be old fashioned, I want her to think and decide for herself. I don’t want to force her to choose something. That’s what I've suffered from my whole life.”

Sahar’s dream is to work in her field of passion; art and design, even if it took her time and effort. She intends to start that journey by learning English through a scholarship granted by Sanad, so that later she can study graphic design.