Everywhere AKF works we meet community-minded individuals who are strengthening the fabric of civil society. These community weavers are unsung heroes who volunteer their time and expertise, mobilise others, and bring diverse groups together to bring about transformative change within their communities.
This work is local, often challenging, and frequently goes unheralded. Yet the efforts of community weavers form the foundation for so much of what AKF is able to achieve. They are the leaders and members of a network of more than 50,000 civil society organisations we partner with, ensuring our impact is responsive to community needs and aspirations.
Each month throughout 2024, we will be sharing the stories of community weavers from around the world who are bridging and bettering their communities.
This is Mostafa’s story.
My name is Mostafa Abdel Moneim Saleh and I am 22 years old. I live in Karam El-Deeb, a small, rural village in Aswan, Egypt. I studied electronics at school and initially looked for jobs that would fit my needs as a disabled person. It was difficult to find opportunities that were right for me, so with my family’s encouragement and support, I decided to focus on voluntary work and entrepreneurship – this was a huge turning point in my life.
Once I decided on this new path, I started volunteering at civil society organisations (CSOs) and youth centres affiliated with Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports. I was responsible for meeting with communities and learning about their needs, assisting with mosque renovations, and promoting various sports activities and events.
“After seeing how active and passionate I was, CSOs from other villages asked me to support their work … Now I am a board member for my local CSO!”
After seeing how active and passionate I was, CSOs from other villages asked me to support their work. Since then, I have helped train youth volunteers, assisted with social cohesion projects, and participated in recycling initiatives. Now I am a board member for my local CSO!
Wanting to improve my offering and make a difference in my community, I recently joined a gender equality training programme with Om Habibeh Foundation (OHF) – an affiliate of the Aga Khan Foundation in Egypt. Equipped with newfound knowledge, I returned to my village and delivered training sessions about what I had learned. I have also started an initiative to facilitate karate training for local children, delivered in-kind essential resources for vulnerable families, and helped organise medical convoys to improve healthcare services in my village.
I find it heartbreaking when people are in need and volunteers do not have enough resources to help. Lack of funding and shortage of resources are huge challenges facing voluntary work, but as my mother taught me, even if you do not have money to help people, you can volunteer your time and effort. And I hope that my efforts are inspiring change.
I am proud to be considered a local role model – especially as a disabled person living in a rural village. I advocate for a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the incredible contributions we can make to society when we are fully accepted by, and integrated into, our communities. I believe this will go a long way in making people in my region more educated and accepting.
Alongside my voluntary work, I have started a recycling business. I recently applied to an entrepreneurship competition at OHF and won 70,000 EGP (approximately $2,265 USD) to fund my enterprise. I bought a machine that recycles old clothes into cotton, which can be used to make other products. I have faced some operational and financial challenges, but I am still determined to become a successful entrepreneur. I have another idea to open a handicraft centre in my village, which would afford job opportunities to dozens of people – especially women – in my community.
“As my mother taught me, even if you do not have money to help people, you can volunteer your time and effort. And I hope that my efforts are inspiring change.”
In the future, I hope to support my village, Karam El-Deeb, no matter where I am living. I want to become a leader for disabled people and open a rehabilitation centre for people with different needs. My advice to others would be to never give up – even if you have a disability or have faced difficult circumstances, don’t let anything stop you from achieving your goals!
