Apache Egypt employees reach out each Orphan’s Day

Arrows Newsletter: December 2010
December 2010

Pictured at a local orphanage are, from left: Hamish Clare, Alan Clare, Oliver Clare, orphan Bassem, Makarem Zehny, Aly El-Far, Ayman Gamal, orphan (name unknown), orphan Said, and Sherif El-Far.

What began in 2006 as a small effort by Apache Egypt staff to participate in the country’s Orphan’s Day has since grown into an annual company fundraiser that last year collected LE100,000 – approximately US$20,000 – to provide food, medicine and clothing for Cairo-area orphans.

Spearheaded by Apache nationals Hani Nasr, prospect team manager, Fatma El Far, senior drafting supervisor, Mohamed Hafez, exploration digital records supervisor, and Mohamed El Ghawaby, geologist III, the organizers aim to keep the momentum growing.

Orphan’s Day was established by the Egyptian government in 2004 as an annual charitable event to encourage citizens to support local orphanages and poor and needy children. Apache’s 2006 commitment began when Apache joint-venture Khalda Petroleum Company’s (KPC) operations general manager Mohamed Moanes Shahat organized a special event for orphans on the grounds near KPC offices. Staff members collected money to provide food, clothing and a feast for 150 orphan children.

Taking KPC’s lead, Dalal Hanno, Cairo’s public relations and deputy human resources manager, encouraged Apache’s involvement and requested that the company match the funds contributed by employees. Her suggestion was approved, and Apache has been involved ever since. Shahat, now chairman of Apache joint-venture Qarun Petroleum Company (QPC), has also committed QPC’s involvement.

Apache’s Orphan’s Day campaign is held during the first few months of each year. Once the donated money has been collected and the company match has been made, a committee led by Nasr purchases food, clothing and medical supplies the orphanages need. Employees also are encouraged to contribute toys and gently used clothing for the children. When the supplies have been purchased and clothing and toys donated, the committee makes the deliveries to orphanages.

Nasr considers his family when helping the orphans:  “There are no parents to take care of and protect the orphans,” he said. “When I look at my kids, I ask myself,  ‘If my wife and I got in an accident and both of us died, how will society deal with my kids?’ Then I consider the orphans my kids.”

El Far’s participation has encouraged her children to help make a difference:  “I feel very happy whenever I remember that I shared in making their smiles warm,” she said. “My kids started to share my visits to those orphans’ house; and they became keen to keep their toys, story books and clothes in good condition to give them away to other kids who cannot afford to buy new ones.”

Alan Clare, QPC exploration general manager, who supports the campaign and helps make deliveries to the orphanages, said, “Both Egyptian and expat staff are extremely wealthy compared to many in Cairo. This is a way of acknowledging how privileged we are. These orphans have nothing; and it takes little effort to support them and provide a small amount to help them for the future. The large number of abandoned children on the street is an enormous problem. The government is able to donate basic facilities for these orphanages, but the day-to-day operation is dependent upon people’s good will. A number of groups try their best to support locally, and this is where Apache staff has been able to help.”

Apache Egypt will soon kick off the Orphan’s Day campaign for 2011. Those interested in contributing are asked to contact Dalal.Hanno@apachecorp.com.

Top of Page