Daily Inspiration: Meet Mona Megahed

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mona Megahed.

Hi Mona, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I first started working with refugees when I lived in New Jersey. It was 2015, the height of the Syrian crisis, and I had heard of Syrian refugees being resettled in New Jersey and was desperate to help. We met some families at a welcoming event held at a local mosque, and I took their phone numbers. I called them later, and my family and I visited them in their homes. We were a little shocked to see how little they received in initial aid. Their apartments weren’t in the best parts of town, and they were given the bare necessities. This prompted a friend and I to explore the resettlement process in-depth and also start an Amazon wish list whereby anyone across the nation can help fully furnish a refugee family’s home. We added items that we all have in our homes and some fun and educational toys and books for the children. This idea has been replicated in multiple states in the last eight years.

Upon moving to Georgia in 2016, I connected with other individuals who were also helping local refugees. It was great to learn that Clarkston is home to refugees from all over the world and that it is the most diverse square mile in the nation. We quickly realized that our effort could be magnified if we became an official nonprofit. We decided to become a chapter of the Syrian Community Network (SCN), a nonprofit founded in Chicago. We learned a lot from them and at the same time, continued to grow and expand. In 2020, we were ready to become our own stand-alone nonprofit with a bigger and broader mission – Ethaar.

Ethaar means “going beyond loving for others what you love for yourself and putting the needs of others over your own, out of kindness and compassion” — this is what Ethaar aims to attain as our core value. Ethaar is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that serves local refugees and underserved families in the Georgia Muslim Community and guides them toward the achievement of true self-reliance. Ethaar strives to ease these families’ struggles by addressing their evolving needs. The organization empowers them through education and life skills and nurtures leadership within themselves.

I currently serve as the Vice President of Ethaar and oversee general operations with a hands-on approach. We have several programs that we oversee, including the Welcome Home Initiative, where we involve volunteers in setting up apartments for incoming families. We provide necessary household items and set up the apartment in such a loving way to help welcome families with dignity. We also provide washers and dryers as part of our Convenience Initiative.

Once a family member has their driving permit, we offer up to 14 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction to help them on their road to self-sufficiency. Later, we offer financial assistance if the family qualifies, and help connect families to other services in the community. We also offer workshops to help families learn about life in the US so they can succeed and become contributing members of society. We have several other programs that we are working on to help families become independent and self-reliant.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, it has been a challenging one that I would do over and over again if I was given the chance. Working with families that have faced tremendous loss takes a toll on one emotionally. I remember talking to recently resettled Syrian families in New Jersey and listening to their tribulations. I would try to be strong in their apartments but would go to my car and cry. Families forced to flee their homes in times of war have endured so much – we can not even comprehend the struggles that they faced. Yet, these families would always be grateful for the safety and security that they have now.

I was always humbled by how generous all these families were. Anytime I would visit a refugee family, regardless of where they were from, they would always bring me coffee and invite me to a home-cooked meal. They have food stamps and are sometimes barely making it, yet they show their gratitude by giving of the little that they have.

Some of the challenges we have now is helping newly resettled families fully acclimate to life in the US. It entails helping them learn a new language, teaching them how to drive, teaching them the laws of the land, helping them get and sustain a job, etc… It is also hard to watch these families start over – from zero. Many are highly educated and had reputable jobs and lavish homes. They lost all of this in the blink of an eye and are forced to take low-paying jobs to barely make ends meet. We have had doctors, lawyers, and professors who have had to work at gas stations and as Uber Drivers. Part of the struggle is helping them understand that any job is better than no job, and everyone has to start somewhere. We also have some families that are living proof that with hard work, dedication, and support, they can thrive and be better than they were before. This takes patience and determination.

Another challenge that I have faced personally is that I never had to apply for grants before and I knew nothing about the resettlement process. It has been a steep learning curve for me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a pediatrician and work in an outpatient clinical setting. I have always loved working with children and especially enjoy well visits because I like to watch children grow and thrive. I also love teaching and find myself invested in educating my patients about various topics; whether it be their illness and treatment, food allergies and using an epi pen, personal hygiene during their well visits, etc…

I also take my medical knowledge base and use it to teach others – I have prepared and effectively taught students at several schools as well as mosques about hygiene, puberty, bullying, good touch, and bad touch to name a few. I have also prepared professional development courses for staff to help them better understand learning disabilities and food allergies.

I am also known for being a philanthropist. Whether it is working with refugee families, going to schools and mosques and teaching classes free of charge or helping to lead the Troop 12 Boy Scout of America (BSA) Girls Group, I give of myself whenever and wherever it is needed.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
First and foremost, as a devoted Muslim, I find myself thanking God for the blessings that He has bestowed on me. I have been blessed with Islam, a faith that prioritizes helping the less fortunate and giving to others.

I have also been blessed with an amazing family that has supported me to no end. My father, may God rest his soul, taught me to always put other’s needs before my own and to do so with a smile. My mother taught me to always give 110% to everything that I do.

My husband and children are an absolute treasure, and not only are my cheerleaders, but also volunteer tirelessly to further the cause. They often come to apartment set-ups, help with drives and distributions, and love passing out brochures to teach others about Ethaar. At tabling events, my girls will often man the Ethaar table and help raise awareness.

I have an amazing team of board members that all love this work and do so without expecting an ounce of reward. Emad Sabbah, Co-founder and President of Ethaar has been a teacher and mentor. I have learned a lot about philanthropy from him and his expertise. I also have to give credit to Sarah Karim, our Executive Director, who joined our team five months ago but has been a huge asset, and Mohamed Aly, our Operations Manager, who is our point person. He is the face of Ethaar on the ground.

I also want to thank Ethaar’s partnering organizations and the refugee resettlement agencies for everything that they do. I find that we all work together and are invested in the success of every client that we serve.

Lastly, I have to thank all of our volunteers and donors who jump at any opportunity to assist. Without them, we would not be able to do the work that we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ethaarusa.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethaarusa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ethaarusa