Farida Khamis is an amazing woman: she’s a wife and mother, a philanthropist who has raised millions for those in need, and is the Vice President of Corporate Finance at Oriental Weavers – one of the largest companies in Egypt, established by her father in the late 1970s.
After graduating from the American University in Cairo, Khamis worked as a financial analyst in various firms in Egypt and the US before becoming VP at Oriental Weavers, her father’s company.
“At the beginning, I noticed the doubts of my being the daughter of the owner,” she told us earlier this month, “but time proved that I could do it.”
She has been involved in philanthropic work for years. “I was not just inspired; I was thrilled with the idea of helping people,” she told us. Before becoming a wife and mother she began working with under-privileged children through working with orphanages.
In 2007 she started a non-profit called Khayrazad Organization for Social Care. Starting with very limited capital and a few donations, and now the organization has raised millions to provide healthcare for individuals along with machines and equipment for hospitals.
“We receive lots of cases that urgently need financial support, as well as medical support and guidance,” Khamis told us. “We strive to not turn anyone away and ensure to support anyone who comes to us.”
Earlier in Ramadan she held a fundraiser for Khayrazad, hoping to raise money to cover two projects for Abu El Reesh Children’s Hospital, a central sterilization unit and a new dialysis unit.
“Amazingly, we covered both projects within 10 days,” she said. Enough money was raised at the fundraiser to help the hospital with its next project, updating their cardiac unit, as well. Abu El Reesh is a governmental hospital with very limited resources that provides services to patients in all 27 of Egypt’s governorates.
The fundraiser, which included a dinner and a raffle, was completely covered by donations, meaning 100 percent of the funds raised through ticket sales and sponsorships could go directly to the hospital. Food for the sohour was provided by Andrea, and the art and event organizer, Animation, also donated its services. In addition, an art exhibition and silent auction were organized in coordination with Saida Harakany of Adsum Art Consultancy and Lina Mowafy of Arts-mart, with over 90 pieces of art donated by artists and galleries.
Money comes from ticket sales (800le per ticket) as well as corporate sponsorships, but Khamis said the largest sums collected come from generous donations from individuals.
Khamis and her partners, Nihal Mahmoud, Khadiga Yassin and Lamia Mohasseb, chose for the fundraiser to benefit Abu El Reesh after a visit to the hospital to inaugurate a microscope they had funded.
“After the visit was over we had a long meeting with the management,” she told us. “[We] were all extremely impressed by their integrity and new style of managing the hospital that we were motivated to cover their ‘wish list’ of future projects!”
So far, they seem to be doing a fantastic job.
In addition to her work with Khayrazad, Khamis is a member or volunteer at several other organizations that benefit women and street children, and also involves her 7-year-old son in her philanthropic work. Accompanying his mother on visits to orphanages since he was just 2, he now participates in her work in his own way. He has a great talent for painting, and sold three of his paintings during Khayrazad’s art gallery. He has also sold paintings before for charity, and “frequently goes through his belongings to see what he can give away to those less fortunate,” Khamis told us.
It’s not all that easy, however, to balance being a wife, mother, and philanthropist with a high-powered career. “Balancing is not that easy at all,” she said. “Sometimes I finally get home after work and am extremely exhausted; yet a smile on the face of parents of a cured child gives me the relief that I look for, as well as my own son’s smile and welcome home hug!”
Finally, Khamis gave us one more piece of advice: “I would advise anyone to give back to his/her community, not only money but more importantly their time – which is also considered at times even more precious to give. The more you spend, the more you get back I believe!”
WE SAID THIS: If there’s anything we’ve learned from her, is that we’re giving back to the community, and so should you.