Maha, Egypt

My name is Maha. I used to be someone who had a phobia of diseases, and my heart was incredibly fragile when it came to those I loved. My life was limited to my mother, my postgraduate studies, and my work. Just driving past Baheya Foundation would make me speed up, tears going down my face uncontrollably. I saw illness as a nightmare to run away from, especially after the sudden passing of my mother; she was ill for only a few days and then passed away in my arms in a deafening silence where I felt utterly helpless.

But God was preparing me for a different path. I didn't choose Baheya; Baheya embraced me. It is the "House of Hope" that opened the doors of mercy for me after my loss—the embrace that taught me that facing illness isn't the end, but the beginning of a mission. Six years ago, this journey began, marking a true turning point. In the beginning, I would cry just at the sight of illness or upon hearing the stories of patients. However, over time, I discovered that my role isn't just to feel sympathy, but to be a supporter, an advocate, and a reason for a smile amidst the suffering.

I was taught that illness is not a nightmare, but a test. True strength is not found in fleeing from it, but in facing it with mercy and faith. Through this, I changed; I became stronger, kinder, and more social. I began to confront what I once feared instead of running away.

My faith and certainty that "what is written is written"—and that everything happens by God's decree—made me realize that this world is worth nothing compared to mercy and conviction. What happened was my destiny, but I chose to turn it into strength. I chose to transform from fear to giving, from pain to hope, and from the loss of my mother to finding her presence in every fighter inside this house of hope

When God blessed me with my daughters, I felt that this mission wasn't just for me, but a trust I must plant in their hearts. I began teaching them the meaning of mercy, the importance of being a support system for others, and that true strength lies in the spirit and faith, not just the body. I want to raise them to see hope even in the midst of pain, and to be an extension of the journey I am living.

Today, after six years, I can say my life has completely changed. I went from someone who feared and fled, to someone who confronts and comforts. From tears of fear, to tears of conviction. This journey isn't just my job; it is my mission and my relationship with God that grows every day.