Draft:Heya Masr Foundation

Heya Masr Foundation

Founded	2017 (2017)
Founder	Moody Demetry
Type	NGO
Focus	Women and children safety, character development, sexual harassment awareness, self-defense, building resilience, empowering women and children
Location	Cairo, Egypt
Key people	Moody Demetry (President), Heba Samy (Program manager)
Website	www.heyamasr.org

Heya Masr also known as Amalna Heya Masr is a registered social non-profit organization (NGO) based in Cairo, Egypt.

Heya Masr's work targets mainly young Egyptian girls and boys aged between 6 and 18 years old, an approach informed by UN studies on behavior change occurring at an early age. The organization's mission focuses on restoring a sense of dignity and pride in its beneficiaries by building their self-confidence and providing mental and physical empowerment opportunities.

Heya Masr offers various services and programs, including character development activities, anti-bullying and harassment awareness, and self-defense strategies. Through community-based initiatives and partnerships with local organizations, schools, and youth centers, Heya Masr endeavors to create a safe and nurturing environment where young individuals can develop into resilient and productive members of society.

History

Heya Masr was founded with the intention of addressing the prevalent challenges encountered by women in Egypt, particularly in light of alarming statistics revealing high rates of sexual harassment and physical violence against women.

However, recognizing the significance of early intervention, the organization shifted its focus to children, recognizing this as a pivotal stage for instigating meaningful and enduring change. It was formally registered as a non-profit entity on January 5th, 2017, under Registration #10407.

Operating through collaborative efforts with local entities such as organizations, schools, and youth centers, Heya Masr has been implementing a range of community-based programs for over a decade. These programs are tailored to children aged 6-18 and extend their impact to encompass the wider ecosystem, including parents and educators, equipping them with the necessary skills for empowerment and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Programs

Hayati - Child focused program

Hayati program

The Hayati program, offered by Heya Masr, is a customizable initiative designed to develop emotional and mental resilience in children aged 6-18. The program focuses on fostering discussions and critical thinking skills, as well as promoting effective communication and role modeling. Participants are guided in setting goals and understanding the importance of each step, while also learning to establish boundaries and develop healthy habits.

Central to the Hayati program is the exploration of character traits and values, encouraging self-discovery, awareness, and affirmation. Participants learn strategies for dealing with peer pressure, building self-esteem through boosting self-image, and making authentic decisions while managing risks. They are guided in understanding differences between genders and navigating relationships, including differentiating between complementing, flirting, and sexual harassment.

The program addresses important topics such as bullying, both offline and online, and equips participants with skills to respond effectively. Internet safety and cyberbullying awareness are emphasized. Measurement and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms are employed to track the program's impacts, including improvements in knowledge, attitude, and behavior of all beneficiaries.

Throughout the Hayati program, the focus remains on improving participants' self-esteem, confidence, and emotional intelligence. By developing healthy habits and fostering self-worth, participants are empowered to stand against bullying and harassment, contributing to their resilience as individuals and responsible citizens.

Hayatna - Parent (or care giver) focused program

The Hayatna program, offered by Heya Masr, is tailored for parents and educators seeking to cultivate resilient global citizens through youth development. This comprehensive program aims to support children's growth and development in an increasingly diverse world. By providing tools and resources for youth development, Hayatna assists parents and educators in effectively communicating with children, encouraging positive behaviors both in and out of school, and navigating the various challenges encountered during their developmental stages.

The program equips participants with strategies to raise resilient children and students, serving as a toolbox and resource for parents and educators alike. Key components of the program include addressing tough questions from children or students, fostering self-esteem and confidence, and identifying and addressing challenges such as bullying and harassment. Participants also gain insights into their children's or students' mental and psychological growth stages, enabling them to respond effectively to their evolving needs.

Through Hayatna, parents and educators explore topics such as the five love languages and effective communication techniques with children or students. They learn to identify the root causes of behaviors, distinguish between discipline, punishment, and positive reinforcement, and avoid the harmful practice of comparing children to each other. Additionally, the program addresses the risks of projecting personal problems onto children and offers guidance on supporting children academically, including strategies for addressing internet safety, cyberbullying, and harassment awareness.

Hayah - Community focused program

Hayah program

The Hayah program, known as "Children and Our Community - Hayah," offers a transformative approach to education aimed at improving life outcomes for children and young people. The program seeks to foster collaboration among children, parents, and educators, with the goal of creating a healthy and safe environment within the community. Through skill-building in life skills—defined as higher-order, transversal, and transferable abilities—the Hayah program equips individuals with the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors needed to navigate everyday challenges successfully.

Participants in the Hayah program have the opportunity to enhance their skill-building, thereby empowering them to become confident and successful individuals who can positively impact their communities. The program emphasizes the following key details and benefits:

• Development of productive and responsible individuals who feel a sense of belonging and are eager to contribute to society.
• Exploration of diversity and inclusion, offering projects to help youth understand and appreciate the various forms of diversity encountered in daily life.
• Environmental stewardship, providing a global perspective on maintaining ecological health as a means to address the challenges of climate change.
• Engagement with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), allowing participants to discover their passions and explore ways to contribute to global initiatives.
• Education on food safety and gardening practices, teaching methods to ensure food safety and promoting the cultivation, preservation, and care of plants while conserving water.
• Opportunities for young entrepreneurs to kick-start their small businesses, encouraging them to gain experience and set their path forward in entrepreneurship from a young age.

Through its comprehensive approach, the Hayah program aims to nurture individuals who are not only equipped with essential life skills but are also inspired to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

Partnerships

Heya Masr has had numerous partnerships with institutions throughout Egypt, spanning from universities and large corporations to youth centers and orphanages. These partnerships/sponsorships play a crucial role in advancing the mission of Heya Masr as they provide funding opportunities as well as increase the NGO's reach. The following table provides an overview of the organization's key current/latest partnerships and sponsorships.

Partner or Sponsor	Results and Impact
Alfanar	Supported implementation of two programs, reaching 300 children and parents from underprivileged communities.
World Within Us organization	Sponsored self-defense program for over 50 underprivileged girls, supporting UN SDG on gender equality.
The American University in Cairo (AUC)	Provided self-defense classes during "My Safe Uni" event to students, women, and employees. Partnered with Tomorrow's leaders graduate scholarship recipients to draft a business development strategy for Heya Masr.
Suez Company and Majid Al Futtaim Company	Extended programs to 200 girls, boys, and parents.
Sigma Fit	Sponsored self-defense classes for 100 children.
MBC1 Kalam Nawaem program	Supported programs for over 100 children and parents.
Caritas Egypt	Implemented programs for children and technical staff at a risk center.

References

Category:Non-governmental organizations Category:NGO Category:Women Category:Child development Category:Children Category:Sexual harassment Category:Sexual violence Category:Egypt Category:Cairo Category:Arab Category:Empowerment Category:Activism Category:Community Category:Human rights