DEBRA International is delighted to welcome the Yasmin El Samra Foundation - DEBRA Egypt as one of its newest member groups.
My name is Hanaa Elsadat, mother to four children (three sons and a daughter) and I live in Cario, Egypt. Yasmin Elsamra, my daughter, was born in 1997 with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
Yasmin tried to lead a normal life despite her disease. At the age of 5, we discovered her talent in drawing and encouraged her first drawing exhibition at the age of 9. She spread awareness about EB through three exhibitions during her short lifetime and was known as the youngest Egyptian artist. She donated revenues from her paintings for EB research.
When she passed away at the age of 15 in 2012, I established a charity foundation in her name for EB patients in Egypt. In 2014, we had 10 EB cases and in 2021 we reached 170 (ages 0-35). We also help EB cases from different Arab countries.
We spread awareness, provide medications (EB is not covered by any medical insurance), pay for hand and dental surgeries and blood transfusions, and recommend qualified doctors in different fields who are able to deal with EB cases.
Based on my experience as a mother, I had the feeling that their pain is different from the pain we feel. It is in their mind from the way people perceive them because of their appearance and disability when they integrate in society. I addressed this through providing good nutritional advice and psychologically; through drawings, crafting, story writing, dancing, and participating in charity bazaars, drawing competitions, and encouraging them to handle small businesses to earn their own money and feel that they have the right to live happily.
I feel happy when I relieve their pain and see the smiles on their faces, giving them hope that one day there will be a cure. Yasmin's mission and her Foundation will always leave a lasting legacy.
- Hanaa Elsadat
Hanaa Elsadat and the Yasmin El Samra Foundation - DEBRA Egypt EB Community
