Many people are surprised when they hear about my story with Kafala, perhaps because they think it's only for young children! Even though I sponsored my daughter when she was 20 years old. My name is Eman Kamal, I'm 29 years old. The first time I met Farah, my sponsored daughter, was in 2015, just a few days before her 20th birthday. Her real name is Sabreen, but I called her Farah (which means joy in Arabic) from the moment I saw her because she has been and still is a major source of joy in my life. We met through my work, it was her first job, and I was her trainer. When we talked, I found out she was from a care home and she would always tell me about the things that bothered her there. So, I decided to visit her and see the place for myself. When I visited the home, I was surprised by how lovely and joyful the girls there were, and I thought to myself how could anyone abandon girls as beautiful as flowers like them! I wanted to do anything to make them happy, especially Farah. Farah had a kindness and care in her that was extraordinary, I hadn't seen it except in my family. I felt as if she was a part of me, like she was the rest of my family that didn't exist in reality. We got closer, and I began visiting her every holiday, keeping up with her and making sure she was okay. The situation in the home was hard for me, there were many things I didn't like when I visited her. I wanted to take her away from there to live with me, where she could be in a loving and caring family environment, but I couldn't because of my age and the law which requires that I be over thirty. We stayed like this for about 4 years, and the pressure from the orphanage was increasing. Eventually, she decided to become independent. I wished at that time I could have Kafala of her and take her to live with me. We quickly started looking for an apartment and furnishing it. My family was initially surprised by the situation and had many questions and doubts, but my focus was all on Farah's happiness. After a while, Farah moved into an apartment next to mine. My family started to know her more, changed their minds, and accepted the situation. Over time, they loved her like I did and considered her one of the family. We became one family, everyone thinks we are sisters or relatives, but I say we are indeed more than family. Since I knew Farah, my life has changed for the better; she always encourages me, and I became a support and backbone for her, which makes me want to be more successful and stronger for her every day. I always feel that God blesses me in my life because of my mom, my sister, and Farah, as if God is drawing a path full of happiness because she entered my life. I am always optimistic about her and thank God for her, and God willing, she will also lead me to heaven, and we will remain family in this life and in heaven. I wish people would start to know about these children and help them. No child deserves to be alone; any of us could have been in their place. Also, the presence of children in the home should not be a stigma against them; it is an honor for them that they were able to overcome and succeed despite the difficult circumstances of their lives. I hope God blesses me so I can do Kafala again and again, and that the culture of Kafala in Egypt is not limited only to children because adults also dream of a home and a family.
