By Nermien Riad | Executive Director
You might be surprised to know that whenever I think of the mothers in B’edaya, the first thing that comes to mind is not money, but dignity.
In fact, dignity was the first thing I noticed about Menrit, a mother I met recently in Egypt.
From her home in Assiut, using B’edaya funding and coaching, Menrit has grown a large sewing business. Sheets, pillow cases, quilts, and furniture covers are all part of her product line.
Success hasn’t gone to her head – in fact, she’s remained a very humble person. I witnessed how she sought advice about good parenting from Coptic Orphans’ Church-based volunteer Reps.
She was very focused on becoming a better mother to her four children, and everything she did, she did with dignity.
Menrit recalled for me a Coptic Orphans workshop about the Five Love Languages, in which she was offered perspectives on how to verbalize the affection she feels for her children.
Her memory of the workshop was so vivid that she was able to recount how five Reps with five partially full glasses of water (representing the five love languages) poured all their water into one glass, filling it to the brim.
“It represented the need for all five love languages for raising children,” she told me.
Menrit brought such a kind and dignified presence to each encounter with others, making me feel honored that Coptic Orphans, through B’edaya and other programs, has been able to add to her knowledge and experiences.
It’s for people like Menrit that B’edaya exists. All the microfinance initiative does is help bring out the strengths and talents that these widowed mothers already have.
Thank you for your role in ensuring that people like Menrit get support to achieve their dream of financial independence for their families.
As anyone who’s ever stood on their own two feet knows, independence is the root of dignity. We’re grateful that, by God’s grace and through your support, B’edaya can support that for women like Menrit.
*Names and details changed to protect the dignity and privacy of B'edaya mothers.
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