Written By: Younus Khan and Safiyya Khan
A Life-Changing Trip to Cairo
Have you ever gone on a trip that changed your life and shifted the way you think? This past February, our family experienced a life-changing trip when we traveled to Cairo, Egypt, to help displaced Palestinians. As we sat on the plane feeling helpless, the weight of what we were about to do settled in. We were nervous to face reality, but we also knew we would learn about survival and hope. We knew we couldn’t solve everything, but we could at least show up with an open heart.
Before this trip, we only knew numbers, and the whole situation seemed like an abstract painting. We saw only bits and pieces, and it was hard to make sense of it all. But that slowly changed when we actually met refugees living in Cairo. Here are some thoughts about our trip.
Safiyya’s Perspective
I remember so many stories we heard from families that really impacted me. One story that stood out was about a mother, her two daughters, and her baby boy. We visited them in their temporary home, where the mother shared her story. Back in Gaza, she had just had her baby and was living in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods. Her husband was killed, and she had to escape her neighborhood as conditions had become too violent. So, carrying her baby son and holding her daughters close, she walked across town. It took hours to get to her parents’ home because there was so much destruction everywhere. When she finally got to her parents’ home, her family welcomed her, but the very next day, their home was destroyed with them all inside of it. Everyone was trapped under the rubble and had to be pulled out to be rushed to the hospital. The oldest daughter’s burns were too critical, and she sadly passed away. The younger daughter’s lower abdomen was torn, and they had to do emergency surgery without anesthesia. Due to the youngest daughter’s condition, the mother, daughter, and baby son were evacuated to Cairo to get more medical assistance. When we visited them, they all still had burn scars on their faces, even the baby, and we realized later that the little girl looked uncomfortable when everyone was hugging her because she was still in pain. The volunteers showed us a picture of her torn abdomen before she had surgery – it was heartbreaking to see.
This story inspired me so much. Even though they had gone through so much, the family showed so much strength and patience. They found ways to laugh and smile after so much hardship. Over and over again, we heard them say “Alhamdulillah,” praise be to God. It made me realize how I often had found myself being ungrateful, yet these families that have gone through so much are still finding ways to praise and thank God in the depths of their despair. This story also really brought the strength of motherhood to my mind, how this woman dropped everything to protect her children and her family. It made me appreciate my own mother even more than I already do.
I was also very inspired by the members of the NGO we were volunteering with. The volunteers at Lifeblood Foundation, being Palestinian refugees themselves, were so amazing, and I have so much love and respect for them. Lifeblood helps provide aid such as food parcels; hygiene packets; clothing; financial assistance to families, patients, and students; orphan sponsorships; and much more. The volunteers had experienced their own pain but stayed strong. I was struck by how they were only a couple of years older than my college-aged sister, and yet they had gone through so much. They felt so much pride in their work and made me feel like I could actually help and make a difference.
The most important lesson I learned is that the Palestinian refugees are not just numbers; each of them has a different story when it comes to loss, grief, and survival. So many of us just lump everyone together into one group and forget that each individual person has a family and a unique story. Before this trip, this situation seemed distant – like a movie; it did not seem real. But when I got the opportunity to meet Palestinian refugees and hear their stories, I snapped out of it and realized that the abstract painting had become clear. I could actually see the real faces of those who were hurt, and I know it made me want to help even more.
Younus’ Perspective
Spending a week in Cairo with the Lifeblood Foundation was a transformative experience for me. While we all have seen the social media coverage on Palestine, meeting those directly affected and listening to painful stories firsthand was a completely different experience. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but the trip ended up teaching me powerful lessons about resilience, compassion, and hope.
During our time in Cairo, we visited patients in hospitals, met several orphan families and medical students, and also packed food parcels. In addition, we provided Iftar meals, Eid clothing, toys, and laptops; sponsored orphan families; funded medical school tuition; etc.
Listening to the refugee stories was very difficult to hear. What really impacted me was hearing about their strength and patience and how they kept pushing forward. I was especially moved by the medical students we met. They study day and night not just to pass their exams and to build a better life for themselves, but also hoping to go back to Gaza and help their communities someday. That hit me hard because I realized how lucky and privileged I am to have all the resources I have without having to worry about my next meal or where I’m going to sleep at night. This was a humble reminder of how small my everyday problems are. I used to get stressed over homework and exams, but meeting people who could lose everything any day puts things into perspective.
The best part of the trip was seeing the direct impact of our fundraising efforts. All thanks to our generous donors, we were able to help and support Palestinian refugee families through so many different projects. I’ll never forget the joy and happiness we saw when we handed out toys to the children. Meeting and playing with the kids was an amazing experience. We still watch some of the Roblox YouTube videos that Dema, one of the kids we met, posts. We also helped pack food parcels for Ramadan and distributed the boxes, which was very special because it was all about bringing people together and showing them they’re not forgotten. A personal highlight for me was when we visited the Taabu Center. This was a center that offers psychological support for refugees, mainly kids. We had so much fun with the kids – we made bracelets, played games, and learned the dabke dance, which was my favorite part. It felt good helping them dream again.
Since coming home, I’ve been thinking a lot about the people I met, the experiences I had, and what more I can do. This wasn’t just a one-time experience for me. It has sparked something bigger, and I want to keep being involved somehow. I’ve learned that helping out can take many forms, and even small actions can make a big difference. This was by far the best trip I have ever been on, and I plan on coming back multiple times in the future. It’s taught me a lot about gratitude, resilience, and the power of community. I’ve come back home more thankful for what I have and more motivated to give back in any way I can. It’s something I’ll carry with me as I finish high school and beyond, always remembering the faces and stories of the people I met in Cairo.
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We both encourage everyone to find ways – big or small – to contribute in any way possible. When we first considered going on this humanitarian trip, we didn’t think we would be able to make a difference due to our age. But we learned age doesn’t restrict you from doing good. It’s your intentions and your heart that matter. You can make a difference. The people of Palestine are counting on the rest of the world to support them, and every act of kindness counts as they pursue healing and justice.