? For many, summer means mornings by the beach and late nights out, but for students stuck in Cairo waiting for the next semester to kick off, ways to fill time can run out fast. If you haven’t already landed a summer internship, volunteering for your local community is one way you can get out of the house, be positively productive, and add a little shine to your resume. Whether the cause is environmental or humanitarian, here’s where to volunteer this summer and give back to your community.

HELP CLEAN UP THE NILE-

If environmental harm is something that keeps you up at night, you might want to lend VeryNile a helping hand. Based in the small island of Qursaya just off the Nile’s riverbank, it is a rural haven right in the heart of Giza.

True to its name, the initiative focuses on sustainability of the Nile ecosystem, boasting an impressive 454 tons of plastic removed from the Nile, all thanks to the hard work of 180 local fishermen. VeryNile is by and for the local community, providing jobs to local Nile communities as well as equipping them with necessary training and literacy programs. Their work doesn’t stop at waste collection, partnering with local artisans to produce original upcycled and recycled products.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER- VeryNile is open for volunteer group cleanups for groups of 15 and more. Reach out to the initiative through Instagram or keep an eye on their social media platforms for announcements about volunteer openings.

HELP EDUCATE CHILDREN-

In response to the ongoing tragedies in Gaza, Ahfad Al Zaytoun was founded to help Gazan children in Cairo through post-traumatic recovery. The program focuses on supporting K-12 and fostering a safe environment where they can grow emotionally and intellectually. The heart of this work involves building loving and nurturing relationships with the children and instilling in them a sense of stability and belonging through heartfelt connection. Volunteers often describe the experience as deeply eye-opening and fulfilling.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER- If you have a knack for teaching, Ahfad Al Zaytoun is open for volunteers to teach a range of subjects at any level. To register as a volunteer, head to their website.

CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT-

#1- One of many social development initiatives in Egypt, Caritas is a multipurpose organization that supports underprivileged individuals. Since 1967, Caritas has been serving various parts of Egypt from Alexandria to Aswan, promoting inclusion and women empowerment, and providing refugee support.

Volunteers are never not in demand at Caritas. You can offer help through one of their many strategic programs: child care and protection, women and girls empowerment, youth and leadership, disability inclusion and rehabilitation, microloan and economic empowerment, refuge and migration, and more.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER-You can sign up through their volunteer form.

#2- Run by volunteers — and the first of its kind in the Middle East — Share a Smile supports orphans and youth in need, and boasts several medical and food programs. They support over 5k orphans quarterly and deliver 250k meals annually. Share a Smile stands out for its unique volunteer program, complete with training and education. The initiative has ongoing collaborations with 14 NGOs in Egypt, and has earned the support of over 10k volunteers.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER- You can join Share a Smile by filling out this volunteer form.

HELP TAKE CARE OF SOME FURRY FRIENDS-

At the Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals (ESMA), over 2k animals are treated with the utmost care and attention. Formed in 2007, the charity is a leading advocate for animal welfare and currently serves as the Chair of the Federation of Animal Welfare in Egypt. It operates as both a shelter and an adoption center, housing dogs, cats, and donkeys. Most of their animals are rescued from the streets, usually victims of violence, abuse, and neglect.

ESMA is more than happy to welcome volunteers. You can contribute by simply spending time with the animals or helping with some grooming or tidying up around the shelter. If you’re a seasoned pet parent, your help would be greatly needed in temporarily taking in some of the animals as a foster parent or as a flight parent for animals flying outside of Egypt. Love animals but not the mess? You can still help by donating.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER- You can visit their website for more details on how to help. Stay updated with ESMA by following their Facebook page.

CAN’T VOLUNTEER? HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP-

If you can’t physically help out, you can still support in other ways. If you’re short on time, check out this bite-sized guide to giving back to see where and how you can make a difference with minimal interruption to your routine. Want to incorporate more healthy, sustainable habits into your day? Read up on our sustainability guide.

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