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The Project That Makes Egyptians Smile

July 22, 2014
Poverty in Egypt continues to be on the rise with 27 percent of the population living under the poverty line. Photo: AFP File Photo

For Noha Marei, a student in the American University in Cairo, helping the needy is an imperative part of Ramadan. It is part of being a human, “we all have something we can give to someone else, such as teaching something, donating your stuff, developing someone, helping the elderly, drawing a smile on an orphan’s face.” Marei currently works with the Egyptian charity organization Mashroo3 Kheir. An Associate Professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, Jonathan Haidt, said that doing good deeds could affect other people and make them want to help as well. It is like a ripple effect. Kheir, Arabic for good or virtue, is usually seen in Egypt all year long, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. People of all social classes are keen on doing “Kheir” all year long. Good actions are not just giving money; it is about making someone you do not know happy. It can even be a simple act like smiling at someone in the street. And that is what some volunteers at Mashroo3 Kheir thought about this Ramadan. Mashroo3 Kheir, Arabic for virtuous project, was founded by Amin Marei,…


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