The following narratives introduce individuals who are detained in refugee camps. They are in desperate need of the La Casa Futura project currently underway by Voice of the Copts. Egyptian youths have been uprooted and displaced for various reasons all related to religious persecution. Names have been changed to protect identities. Narratives are based on true accounts of actual events.
Coptic soldier killed
Soraya’s older brother Shaker complied with the mandatory military draft and registered in the army when he was 18 years old. Soraya loved her brother and missed him when he was far away on the military campus.
One day, tragic news arrived of Shaker’s death. The military said it was suicide. It was a horrible shock to the family but all the more so because of the unlikelihood of Shaker taking his own life. Shaker was emotionally stable and very religious, suggesting a very low risk for suicide.
Suicide is virtually non-existent in the Coptic Egyptian community. Yet Shaker was not the only young soldier from the Christian community to suffer this fate while serving in the army in the span of two years. The Egyptian military declared at least eight deaths to be suicide.
None of the Coptic Christian families were allowed to see the bodies of their dead sons. To make matters worse, the military forbid autopsies. This was enough for Soraya to give up on thinking that she would ever know the truth. In agony over her loss and disgusted by the potential of military malfeasance she now readily took her parents’ advice for her future.
Shaker had always watched over his sister. As her escort, Shaker prevented her from the dangers of kidnapping. As Shaker was now gone, his parents encouraged Soraya to leave them and go outside the country to begin life in the West.
Soraya is almost 17 years old and now resides in a refugee camp outside of Egypt. She has nowhere to turn. She remains hopeful and firm in her resolve to create a decent life for herself. Western culture will afford her the liberty to practice her religion without fear of repercussions.
Soraya needs our help. The La Casa Futura project is the only concrete solution for Soraya on her journey to achieve her goals. Right now, she must survive the crisis she is in. As we seek to secure the La Casa Futura program for Soraya and others like her, we really need your help.
Donating $5, 10, 20, 50, 100… or more to this valuable project will make a world of difference for Soraya and others like her. Please donate today to save the futures of those who have no choice but to begin life without family or country.
Thank you.
La Casa Futura project currently consists of one dormitory building providing help for up to 100 youths per session. Each session provides language learning, job direction, and cultural understanding. LCF is in its initial stage of development as we seek financial backers and matching funds for individual donations.