One of our columnists, Kerrie Guy, founded her home in Egypt and became much involved with Shams El Birr, a local centre for challenged children. In this article, she introduces the light-filled centre and interviews Dr Morcos Boulos, the founder of Shams El Birr about his work.
Shams El Birr, meaning 'Sun of Righteousness', is located in 6th of October City on the outskirts of Cairo. The centre for education, rehabilitation and care for challenged children throughout Egypt, was orginally established in 1991 and comprised of one flat with five blind girls.
Due to growing demand, the centre is now housed in a three-storey building which includes boarding facilities, classrooms, workshops, an auditorium, an eye clinic, a dental clinic, a physiotherapy room, a well stocked library which caters to the sighted, deaf and blind students, Braille learning facilities, computers that suit all challenged requirements, a children’s club room, a safe garden area, a vocational training unit and a music room. The centre is run by an incredibly dedicated and loving group of teachers, therapists and other staff.
In this impressive, safe and clean environment, miracles fueled by dedication, love and faith manifest daily. Whenever I take guests to visit Shams El Birr, I regularly see tears but never tears of sorrow; my guests only ever shed tears of joy! At Shams El Birr you are blanketed in love and nothing stirs the emotion more than love. Tears that flow in love become the rivers that allow personal pain and hatred to release from our being! When we see the wonders of Shams el Birr we forget the petty annoyances and burdens of our own lives! This exemplifies the miracle each of us gains from giving! Love another and you truly love and heal the self!
I continually describe Shams El Birr as God in Action and its director, Dr. Morcos, as an earth angel who works in total faith as he honours the divine guidance he receives daily.
What was your vision in setting up Shams El Birr?
To care for the poorest of poor of the disabled and cerebral palsy children in Egypt because they are overlooked. My vision was to help them at absolutely no cost. I simply wanted to help children others had forgotten.
Why do you particularly choose to work with challenged children?
Because they are the neediest and the most ignored children in our society.
Does spirituality play a part in doing your work?
Yes of course. I always ask God before I make any decision in my work.
What do you think of my statement about you and Shams El Birr? “I continually describe Shams El Birr as God in Action and Dr. Morcos as an Earth Angel”
Well I am not an angel. I am just a man but I do agree that Shams El Birr is God in Action because it is the Grace of God that finances and runs Shams El Birr. When I consider the yearly costs of running and maintaining the centre, I can’t help but thank God for I know that it is only by Him that our centre continues.
Do you impose any restrictions on who can and can’t attend Shams El Birr?
No, all children are welcome.
What are your future plans?
To establish a separate cerebral palsy centre. Shams El Birr is becoming quite crowded and the cerebral palsy children have special needs that require a special environment. I wish to create this environment for them.
