Being so privileged and fortunate in life

Wednesday 4/6/11 time 6:09 PM - Minna Herranen

Being so privileged and fortunate in life – blessed with all comfort - I was thinking it's about time to pay back something to people who really need it.

I am from Finland but feel that living outside from my motherland 10 years, from which last 6 years in UAE, Dubai, have opened my eyes to realize that my country like most of the European or western countries are best places to live if you need health care, free quality education and social support. We have resources to help. I feel guilty if I did not help, because I can.

I was so happy to discover Finnish NGO Kulttuurikameleontit , who works with Hope Village Association in Egypt to help street children of Cairo.

At once I saw this opportunity to combine couple of my passions; Egypt and Egyptians and helping children and women I knew I had found my way to reach those with less fortunate.

There is loads of willingness to help but people need to get aware of these needy kids and teenagers on streets. They need to have easy way to bring their share of help in. Kulttuurikameleontit is reliable and help is given straight to the target, no need to wonder if funds will go to right place.

I had great opportunity to visit with my Egyptian sister Nagla Mokattam Girls Shelter in Cairo in March 2011. It was so much heartwarming to see all those small kids welcoming us with smiles and hugs, at once they wanted to sit on our laps. We took some photos and kids were so amused to see immediate results from my camera.

We were lucky. On visiting day there was Jewelry making workshop in shelter with young street girls who live in there. That was really inspiring day for me and my sister. Girls enjoyed so much, not only because they get some part of the sales, but because girls are girls, they do love jewelry and decorations, no matter from which culture or society. Our volunteer teacher was jewelry designer Nagwa Mahdy, she was really good with the girls and all what was done were real masterpieces. I took all the production of that day to sell it here in Dubai. Can’t wait to get them more.

It is so easy to help; small contribution will make bigger result if everyone could take part. Masalama. I will keep you posted with progress we do here in Dubai.

Minna Herranen