Youth Education & Literacy

In 2020, the Michelle Sous Foundation donors supported the growth and self-development of a cohort of 20 Egyptian girls with a grant that enabled them to focus on developing their life skills and mentoring methods. “I Am a Genuine Egyptian” is a program at Haddouta Mesreya NGO that promotes leadership, responsibility, and a sense of belonging for college-aged Egyptian girls who could not pursue a college education due to economic hardship. They, in turn, mentor younger children who are struggling at school, or at risk of dropping out. In 2021, with another grant from Michelle Sous Foundation donors, these young ladies carried out their mentorship of 40 young children. The program of mentorship included various areas that impact the children’s sense of belonging, as well as their mental and emotional well being, such as creative sessions, sightseeing, discussing values such as acceptance and integrity. Outside the program time, the mentors regularly check on the children and on their academic progress. 

With another $10,000 grant in 2022, the children continued receiving tutoring and life skills sessions, as well as some new added activities. They started learning about Ancient Egyptian history, art lessons, and going on various field trips, including visiting the Association for Protection of the Environment with Dr. Laila Iskandar, the previous Minister of Environment. The program reached out to the mothers of the children, soliciting their feedback on the program, and empowering them through parenting sessions with children’s education experts. Various diversity and inclusivity initiatives were carried out, such as including Sudanese refugees in community activities and open days. 

“The time I spent at Haddouta Mesreya is life changing in many ways; my personality, ideas, and the way I deal with children have changed. The way I see myself has also changed. I became responsible in ways I have never knew”  Undergraduate Volunteer Tuqa Ashraf.

The ‘Michelle Sous Paterson Student Scholarship’ is meant to support high performing students in Paterson who struggle financially, In partnership with OASIS, a local organizations in Paterson, NJ. While most of the Paterson community has a high school degree, only 11% of the town population has a bachelor's degree, and 25% of its population is under the poverty line.  This scholarship is an opportunity for the gifted youth of the community to break out of poverty by finishing their high school degree, pursuing an associate degree or attending a trade school. Our candidates for the scholarship are hard working high school students, who already demonstrated commitment to their education. They might be current scholarship recipients who need further support with their living expenses, transportation and education expenses, or computer needs.

Our very first scholarship recipient is Vanessa R., a high achieving high school graduate who is pursuing an associate degree in Radiology. Vanessa dreams of one day becoming a doctor to help the suffering members of her community.

Pictured from left side right, Kerolos Mousa Agaypi a previous scholarship recipient who is now doing a doctorate at Harvard, board member Phoebe Farag Mikhail , Vanessa, her mother, and Jennifer Brady, director of our partner organization, Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children.