Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba and Jomo Kenyatta have all left their mark on African history and inspired their compatriots to change their world. Now, an Egyptian woman is following in the footsteps of those immortal leaders, dedicating her life to serve her beloved continent.
Sara el-Amin, 28, has made headlines for her charity and volunteer work in the hope of bringing African people joy and happiness.
“Making my mom proud and giving something back to my country have always kept me going,” Sara said.
“I always believe that everyone should leave a mark in this life and that keeps me motivated and helps me overcome the numerous challenges I have faced,” Sara said.
From an early age, she was encouraged by her mother to involve herself in volunteering. Her mother firmly believes that volunteering is a powerful bonding experience that creates lifelong memories by making a difference in someone else’s life. Sara has become iconic in the field of volunteering field in Egypt and Africa, garnering widespread admiration.
While at school, Sara said volunteer work was never a burden.
“Rather, it helped me count my blessings. For example, I have met children who were deprived of their right to education,” Sara said.
“So, I started to appreciate and thank God for giving me a chance to go to school. I told myself that when I grow, I have a responsibility to help children to use their right to education.”
Having studied media and graduated in 2015, Sara embarked on a career in journalism. She specialised in human rights and African affairs. The second edition of the World Youth Forum in Sharm el-Sheikh in 2018 was a turning point in her life. It was then that she decided to volunteer full-time.
“I started out as a journalist since I believe that the press is a vital tool to change reality and give a voice to the voiceless. Then I became so passionate about volunteering because it would be a more effective and suitable means to reach my goals,” she said.
During the 2018 forum, Sara was deeply impressed by the speech of Zondwa Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela.
“You can’t imagine the impact this speech had on me. Mandela is one of the models I look up to. After listening to this speech, I dreamt of being like Mandela, to have a rich experience that I can talk about. Since that moment, I decided to turn my passion into action.”
Before the forum, Sara had been doing volunteer work in Kenya.
“I worked at a shelter for kids infected with HIV. My Italian colleagues wanted to make the shelter sustainable by letting the children sell what they plant,” she said.
Sara is the founder of Happy Africa Organisation.
The idea came to her in her hotel room in Sharm el-Sheikh.
“I have read many books on African history and I decided to make African people happy again. I was inspired by an election speech by former US President Barack Obama, who said his main goal was to make the US happy again. Therefore, I chose the name ‘Happy Africa’ for the organisation since it embodies its main goals.”
The organisation’s logo shows many people eating together in myriad colours to represent diversity.
“We have to remember that Africa is a place not a race,” she said.
She started with Kenya since there is a high degree of security in this country.
“In addition, the strong ties between Egypt and Kenya prompted me to start my activities there to further connect peoples of both countries. Also, the source of the White Nile is Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, surrounded by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. So, Kenya was my first choice,” she explained.
“Most of our activities in Kenya involve sinking boreholes and helping women with hygiene,” she added.
However, Sara’s journey has taken her through dark patches.
“One place I lived in had no electricity and was cut off from the outside world. I could not communicate with my family. Also, I fell ill. I remember that I was taken back to Egypt in a wheelchair because I couldn’t walk after an insect bite.”
Recently, she was honoured by Immigration Minister Nabila Makram with the Taa Marbouta shield for her contributions in the African continent.
“That wasn’t the first time to receive an honour, but when appreciation comes from your own country, it means a lot. What made me happier was that Nabila Makram is already one of my role models.
“I would also like to extend greetings to Maya Morsi, head of the National Council of Women for her efforts to promote women’s empowerment,” she added.
“I am planning to expand Happy Africa’s activities to other countries. Soon, we will launch Happy Africa Egypt,” she said, adding that she admits that she could not have achieved so much on her own.
“Without donors, we can’t do anything. Many Egyptian expats and donors are my partners in this success,” she said.
Sara believes that everyone must leave a mark in this world for the better.
“I want to tell the young people of Egypt: Don’t waste your time in the coffee shop. Your time is priceless. Do something to make a difference!”
