SEE Interviews "WAFAA" Organization Founder

"WAFAA" is a nonprofit organization based in New Jersey, US. It helps families and inpiduals through various social programs.

"SEE" spoke with Mrs. Wafaa Saad, the founder of WAFAA organization and one of Egypt's successful figures, about her institution goals, her various charitable contributions, either in US or in Egypt, as well as her career and personal life.

Here is the full excerpt of the interview:

Mrs. Wafaa would you give us a brief background about yourself?

Firstly, I would like to thank "SEE" staff for their hospitality and warm reception.

I graduated from faculty of arts, sociology department at Alexandria University. I worked in public relations field and radio for a while then I traveled to America with my husband in 1990.

While in US, I got my equivalent certificate to work as a social worker. I obtained two master degrees in 1996, and 2014; one in counseling from Montclair State University and the second one in sociology from William Paterson University.

From my collective experience in mental health and domestic violence areas, I managed to set up my own organization named "WAFAA".

Is a western country like US in need of a lady of an Egyptian descent to offer volunteer activities?

From my previous experience I gained during my studying period, I found a lot of cases that were in serious need for help and there were not much companies to address their issues.

Humanity comes first. I deal with any case, regardless its identity, nationality, religion, or gender.

Is it allowed for a non-US citizen to work in volunteer works in the American society?

Yes.. once your company is registered at the American public prosecution and regularly pays the registration fees, and submits an annual report about its activities, then it can works normally without any obstacles.

What are the most common social problems dogging the American community?

The domestic violence is a big problem in the US.

In contrary to the Egyptian spouses who can handle the situation after any quarrel, in the US, if any partners' neighbors hear a loud voice during the quarrel, they call the police immediately.

Domestic violence does not only include the violence between the two parents, but also violence against a child, a child against a parent or violence between siblings in the same household.

Is your organization dealing with all nationalities?

Yes sure, we are an international organization dealing with various families of different nationalities including Moroccans, Syrians, Iraqis, Egyptians, Jews, and Americans.

They contact us via our hotline; New Jersey 211, and we offer them many volunteer services, but in return we ask them to join us in our charitable activities.

Could you give us more details about your team work?

My team work is composed of nearly 20 members, most of them are youth of different nationalities.

We also have a program to employee 55 workers. Within this program, the employees are paid by the government to help the low-income people.

Moreover, the government chooses a number of students to work with us during summer holidays based on some conditions. This scholarship benefits low-income students financially and they also gain a valuable experience.

Does the American community suffer the same social problems spreading in Egypt, like harassment, child labor and others?

Yes, but the US government maintains a tight control over those problems. The way the American government deals with such problems is different; the government consider them as crimes.

Many were deported after being charged with such crimes.

Could you draw a comparison between domestic violence in the Arab families living in the US and the American ones?

The cultural background plays a big role in this regard.

Domestic violence in the American families is limited to the verbal, and mental abuse only, yet in the Arab ones, physical abuse is common.

Thankfully, I have a team work which is qualified enough to deal with all kind of abuses.

Does your institution deal with children issues?

Yes.. we have parenting classes to teach mothers and fathers the best ways to deal with their children.

Does 'WAFAA' play a role in addressing social problems only or to create safe environment for both women and children as well? 

My organization is trying hardly to do both.

"Prevention is better than cure"; Hence, we are offering many awareness classes like anger management, parenting and others.

Can you brief us about the reasons of your current visit to Egypt?

I came to Egypt with a group including American businessmen, professors, doctors, students to visit the country's touristic destinations as a part of the organization activities.

Moreover, I was lucky to attend the National Youth Conference (NYC) hosted in the new Administrative capital (NAC).

Do you have any charitable contributions in Egypt?

I seriously think to open a new branch for my organization here in Egypt to help needy people.

How did you participate in the National Youth Conference?

One of the conference organizers called me to attend this event. It was a great opportunity to see the New Administrative Capital (NAC) which is really amazing. There is no city in the US as beautiful as the NAC.

Moreover, I value the great attention paid by the Egyptian state to people with disabilities, like those who were honored during the conference.

They do represent idol models for determination and will.

Do you see any changes in Egypt ?

Of course, there are radical changes. Concerning roads, they are being developed according to international standards, for example: the road from the airport to Alexandria is better than before.

In addition to the obvious reforms in various sectors.

Have you engaged in any work for material gains other than the volunteer one?

No, once I traveled to America, I began to set a plan for my project.

I did not experience the hard circumstances that might face anyone who travels to the US for the first time, as my husband was already having his own business there.

Could you tell us more about your small family?

Sure, my husband's name is Hamdy Metwaly. He has been there in the US for 40 years. We have a son and a daughter; Ahmed and Dalia.

Ahmed, 25, graduated from faculty of law. He has got his master degree and Ph.D in a record time. He is now working in the supreme court of the United States (SCOTUS) as an assistant judge.

And Dalia has studied psychology, and she is helping me in my volunteer work, besides her own job.

What is your husband's opinion about your work?

He is very proud of my volunteer work and supports me a lot, as there are few Arabs working in a job that relates to their majors, especially in a western country like the US.

To take over a proper position or job in the US, you have to get an equivalent certificate, otherwise you will work in restaurants, gas stations, and shops.

As an Egyptian Muslim citizen.. How did you raise your sons in a western country?

I was keen to enroll my sons in an Arab school not an American one, in order to get familiar with the Arabic language, and to be adhered to the Egyptian customs and traditions, as well as their Islamic religion teachings.

After staying in the US for more than 30 years… could you tell us the difference between the American and Egyptian youth?

The American youth, when they turned 18 years, they become completely independent; thinking for themselves and are fully capable of managing their own life.

In contrary, some of the Egyptian youth are 100% dependent on their parents. They waste their time doing unnecessary activities like; sitting in cafes. Regretfully, I feel sad when I see this.

They should make a good use of their time that will be beneficial to their future life and their country as well.

In which American state do you reside? Did you visit any other states?

I actually live and work in New Jersey; my company headquarters is there.

Three months ago, I visited Washington DC, where we organized the Arab International Day after getting an approval from the government represented in ministers and mayors.

The ceremony was attended by American senior officials. During this national event, a large number of Arabs were honored in recognition of their great works.