Caring Creates Transformation

Miriam is a sixth-grade Egyptian student in primary school. She is appreciative that she was accepted into the Finding Freedom Through Friendship tutoring program this year. Mariam’s mother is a waitress, and her father works in a plastic recycling factory.

Not typical of an Egyptian family, Mariam’s parents are separated. Her older brother lives with her father, while Mariam lives with her grandparents. Once a month, Mariam is supposed to visit her father.

Academically, Mariam is very weak, especially in science and English. Exasperating her progress is that her level in reading and writing is also weak. Her grade in all subjects is average or below.

Mariam spends most of her time with her grandparents. She is often depressed because of a lack of contact with her parents, especially her mother. And in actuality, there is no contact with her brother and father.

The FFF social worker recognized the emotional stress and behavioral impact of lack of contact with parents and siblings and spoke to Mariam about the importance of frequent communication with the family. At the same time, the social worker held private sessions with Mariam’s mother.

Due to the FFF social worker’s intervention, the relationship between mother and daughter has improved significantly. In addition, Mariam now visits her father and brother once a week. Mariam’s mother currently attends the weekly mother’s meeting regularly. She is surprised at how people care about her daughter and amazed at the transformation. The emotional connections that FFF creates with our participants are unique in the nonprofit sector. They are sustaining, uplifting, and joyful.