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Coptic Orphans--Check it out

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Graceo8

posted on Jul 04, 2008 - 02:09 PM

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share with everyone something really cool. I volunteered for this organization called Coptic Orphans through their program called STL http://www.copticorphans.org/serve-to-learn.htm, and I saw the great work they do in Egypt. Did you know you can actually sponsor a child in Egypt? It is sort of like world vision, only different because it goes beyond providing basic needs and it is done in association with the coptic church. http://www.copticorphans.org/sponsorship.htm
Anyways, I think it is about time someone does something to help our little brothers and sisters in Egypt. And the best part is that you dont have to go to Egypt to make a difference.

Check it out and let me know what you think?

www.copticorphans.org
http://www.youtube.com/resultsq=coptic+ ... arch_type=
they are also on facebook..

Please share your comments and questions.

Joined: Jul 04, 2008 | Posts: 2

Noosa_1978

posted on Jul 06, 2008 - 02:37 PM

Yes I am actually sponsoring a couple of little girls. Their names are Martha and Salwa and they are such cute little baby angels from heaven. I hope that one day I get to go to Egypt because when I do, I will visit them and bring then lots of gifts and give them hugs. .

Joined: Dec 14, 2006 | Posts: 226
Location: Jersey City, NJ

faithhopelove

posted on Jul 11, 2008 - 11:59 PM

I am afraid to inform you that copticorphane.com does not belong to the Coptic Church. Some organizations have usurped the word “Coptic” to assume a Coptic identity. I do not question their good work of helping the orphans in Egypt, but I challenge their claim of belonging to the Coptic Church.
If anyone really wants to help the needy people in Egypt, he/she should contact either Bless USA or Bless Canada, both are branches of the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services which are under the direction of HH Pope Shenouda III and HG bishop Youannes.

Here are their websites:

http://www.blessusa.org/org/about.shtml

http://www.blesscanada.org/

Joined: Dec 29, 2007 | Posts: 7

raymondd

posted on Jul 13, 2008 - 01:06 AM

I'm really disturbed by the reply of faithhopelove, Shame on you!

This organization doesn't claim to be "Owened" by the church, but definitely it is part of the Coptic Church, cause the Church is the assembly of believers. It is a non-profit organization that helps the Coptic orphans in the poor villages if Egypt. They have partnership with many dioceses and bishops, where the church provide volunteers and decided which orphans deserve help and the organization help in spreading the word and raising awareness and managing the financial matters. I saw with my own eyes who this organization help change the live of a family, a mother and her 2 kids with a 75 L.E as their only source of income, after the father dead at age of 31 with brain tumor.
I just want to remind you that the church ordained the 7 deacons to take care of the monetary issues of the needy instead of making the clergy busy with monetary issues!! "Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables."Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of [good] reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;"but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word". (Acts 6:2-4)
Besides, some of the greatest projects in the history of Copts was not initiated by the Church, for example monasticism! Also Sunday school!

It is OK to promote other charitable organization like BLESS, by why are you trying diminish the hard work of the people of God to help His children? I'm very frustrated!!

A final note, the organization has the blessing of HH Pope Shenouda and the Church. Read more here http://www.copticorphans.org/diocesian-partners.htm

Joined: Mar 11, 2004 | Posts: 14
Location: Boston, MA

Noosa_1978

posted on Jul 15, 2008 - 03:46 PM

I made a promise to one of the saints that if I successfully finish my MBA program and get a very good high paying job, I am going to sponsor a little girl through Coptic Orphans. I know that it is a very reputable company. The reason why a girl is because I hear that women have less of a chance than men. I would like to be a role model for this girl. Hopefully, someday she will grow up to become a very successful woman.

Joined: Dec 14, 2006 | Posts: 226
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Peter

posted on Jul 17, 2008 - 03:35 AM

What faithhopelove was trying to say that Coptic Orphans has no direct church oversight as opposed to other organizations such as BLESS. Does that mean they are not to be trusted? No.

As for the "blessing" by HH and other bishops. He stated that his meeting with the group was taken out of context as a blanket endorsementHe has stated that while the service they provide is necessary and commendable but that there are certain things about their methods (in terms of advertising, for lack of a better word) that he and other bishops do not approve of or feel is correct.

Overall both BLESS and Coptic Orphans are organizations that need support and provide necessary services.

Joined: Mar 18, 2003 | Posts: 423
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Peter

posted on Jul 17, 2008 - 03:38 AM

Though I am a little troubled by the spam-like nature of the initial post.

Joined: Mar 18, 2003 | Posts: 423
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Graceo8

posted on Jul 17, 2008 - 04:07 PM

Hello everyone,

First Peter, I apologize, I didn't intend for the message to seem spam-like. I just wanted to make it short and sweet.I am really involved with Coptic Orphans and I truly like the work they do because i actually went to Egypt and saw it first hand. I am just wondering, in your post,you said that "He" stated that the meeting with the group was taken out of context..by HE, do you mean the pope? I would be intrested to know because as far as I know, they have the pope's blessing? Did the pope actually ever say anything about their methods of advertising?

I actually think Bless is a wonderful organization too, I just dont see why it has to be a competition. Like Peter mentioned, Coptic Orphans is not under the umbrella of the church, but it doesn't mean it cannot be trusted . When I went to Egypt, the local priests actually went along the visits with the local representative and the bishops were beyond supportive. And to respond to faithhopelove,this is certainly a coptic organization because the priest and bishops play an integral role in the organization and coptic orphans plays a role in the children's spiritual life as well.

Joined: Jul 04, 2008 | Posts: 2

raymondd

posted on Jul 17, 2008 - 06:51 PM

Peter, can you provide a source of this information? I guess quoting the exact words is important.

I can see that Coptic Orphans use some kinds of fund raisers that the church can't use. Last year they invited Yusra, the Egyptian actress and UN good-will ambassador, as a honorary guest to their gala. I don't think the Church will use Yusra as a fund raiser, but that doesn't mean Coptic Orphans shouldn't. Actually, that is exactly why such organizations has more space to work than the Church. For example, they can partner with other organizations affiliated with other churches or international organization. The Church may be hesitant to partner with those organization in order not to associate itself with them or there opinions on controversial issues. Also, if corruption or scandal happened in this organization it would have less impact than corruption or scandal in a Church-operated Organization! Right?

I'm a big fan of civil-organization, they are more efficient, more organized and less constrained. More importantly, they help the church focus in its message "Saving Souls" instead of running social or development project and in the same time, those organizations help Copts witness to Christ and help the needy.

Joined: Mar 11, 2004 | Posts: 14
Location: Boston, MA

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