Community Service Clubs Boost Activities During Ramadan
Reflecting the charitable spirit associated with this time of year, the University is bustling with activities that aim at giving back to the community and helping the needy in the underprivileged parts of Cairo. AUC students have a long tradition of being actively engaged in community service, especially during Ramadan. In preparation for the holy month, AUC’s community-service clubs have worked during the summer to collect donations, distribute thousands of food packages to poor families around Cairo and prepare for Eid projects.
Volunteers in Action (VIA), the University’s largest community-service club, has distributed 2,500 food packages to orphanages in Meet Okba. “Since 2010, the club has been engaged in developing and supporting the people in Meet Okba, so they always have priority; however, we are now reaching out to other areas in Egypt to help more needy people,” said Aya Wael, VIA president. The club also prepares 2,300 iftar-to-go packages, which are delivered daily to those in need all around Cairo.
In addition, the Help Club distributed 1,000 food packages to underprivileged residents in Masr El Qadima district and organized the Rahman Delivery project, which prepares and distributes approximately 250 ready-to-eat meals every day throughout Ramadan. “The Help Club has been working in Masr El Qadima for more than 15 years,” said Moemen Abdel Azeem, president of the club. “We know the people there, and they know us as well. This gives us credibility and enables us to make sure that every single pack or meal we distribute goes to a family or person who deserves help.”
As part of its yearlong program for children in Masr El Qadima, the Help Club is also planning a shopping trip for children toward the end of Ramadan to buy Eid clothes, as well as toys and candy.
Working collectively with Ain Shams University; Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport; and the German University in Cairo, Alashanek Ya Balady (AYB) student club and nongovernmental organization are distributing, for the ninth year in a row, more than 1,500 food packages to underprivileged families in Ain El-Sira, Ezbet Abu Qarn, Boulaq Abu El-Ella and El-Matarriya districts. “This Eid, we are working on a Keswa campaign, whereby we collect donated clothes, sort them and sell them for cheap prices for the people of Ain El-Sira,” said Nayera Abdel Hady, AYB president.
In addition to providing food, other clubs are undertaking more diversified activities in Ramadan. Members of Resala AUC help people who are still on the road to their homes before sunset break their fast by offering them free dates and water. They also pay visits to orphanages and homeless shelters to have
iftar with orphans, elders and children. “It is a great feeling when you share your
iftar meal with the underprivileged,” said Mohamed Ezzat, president of Resala AUC. “Just being with them is all it takes to bring a smile to their faces.”