There are exactly 24 hours in the day. While around 8-10 hours are dedicated to sleep, many of us spend the rest doing work, leisure or any other activities for our own self benefit. We are too occupied with our own lives that we often forget that sometimes our own happiness and personal development can be dependent on improving the lives of others.
Fatima Shehata, a young Egyptian girl in university, figured out that pharmacy was not her dream career. Yet rather than stopping at that point, she decided to drift to volunteering and freelancing to enhance her character and skills.
“It doesn’t really matter where you volunteer as long as you’re doing an impact and you’re leaving traces of kindness and positive vibes,” she says to Egyptian Streets.
Using the power of social media effectively, Shehata would follow and keep up with other volunteers doing all kinds of work online, and that is where she got exposed to different kinds of opportunities.
After filling her application, she started to volunteer at 57357 children’s cancer hospital and Abulreesh kid’s hospital, as well as other several organisations.
“I’ve always been connected to kids and to their pure souls, and I love working with them because I believe that, since they are the next generation, influencing them in a positive way would definitely help in working for a better future,” she notes.
“When you manage to get someone to laugh and regain hope in life, this definitely gives you a sense of accomplishment. It adds value to your life.”
Shehata also works as a graphic designer for Entreprenelle, a mission-driven social enterprise that aims to economically empower women through education and training.
“I was really interested in getting to know how social enterprises work in Egypt and I was motivated by the great impact they’re doing and how they’re a support system for every girl/women out there.”
For her, happiness is not just about self-achievement; it is not something grand or ridiculously unpredictable, but it is simply every single step of progress a person takes, whether it is by getting someone to smile after an unhappy experience or saving money for your dream laptop.
“I hope I initiate a never-ending cycle of inspiring individuals ready to spread kindness and lighten up the roads for others,” she says, “and also launch my own silly socks line.”
A flower of happiness, kindness and warmth – this is the spirit Shehata is carrying with her in life.
“Get out of your comfort zone and try stuff you never imagined doing. You’ll never know what you’re truly passionate about unless you try, and you’ll never know how strong you are unless you face your fears once and twice and overcome them.”
She leaves us with Howard Zinn’s quote, “small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
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