ASMAA FATHİ

Cairo- An initiative called “A New Beginning” held an event in Cairo, capital of Egypt, to honor Egyptian mothers, who are the heroes of their children’s stories. The single mothers, who had separated or lost their spouses, raised their children alone, and shouldered the responsibilities of their families, attended the event. At the event, Najla Ayyad, founder of the initiative, made a speech and congratulated all the mothers who have struggled to survive and achieved success. Last year, the initiative launched an online campaign with the hashtag, #Heroes of their children’s stories, to choose mothers, who have been honored.   

Mothers told their stories

The event began with a concert of children in need of special care. Then, mothers and children were given gifts. At the event, 30 mothers told their stories. A mother named Aya Issa also told her story. “I got married at the age of 18 and gave birth to my son Hasan. I couldn’t complete my university education because my son became paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury at birth and I dedicate my whole life to him.”

42-year-old Suha Saeed is one of the mothers honored by the initiative. She also told her story at the event. She has two children. She separated from her husband due to the pressure of his family. Since their separation, she has tried to stand on her own feet to be both mother and father for her children.  

A woman named Amani Mohamed also told her story and said that she has been the “hero of her children” since 2018.