Hands Along the Nile Development Services, Inc. (HANDS)

08/20/2026

3,000 years of silence, broken by a single trumpet blast heard around the world.

In 1939, archaeologists sounded one of King Tutankhamun's ancient trumpets on live BBC radio, and an estimated 150 million listeners around the globe tuned in. The trumpets are among the oldest surviving metal instruments in existence. Their fluted ends are etched with floral motifs and images of the gods, a reminder of just how far ancient Egyptian artistry and craftsmanship reached, and how deeply that legacy still resonates today.

Now housed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum near the Pyramids of Giza, the trumpets stand as a powerful symbol of a civilization whose innovation and beauty continue to inspire the world thousands of years later.

Read the full story here:

On an April evening in 1939, an estimated 150 million listeners from across the globe tuned in to a remarkable BBC radio broadcast that even now evokes wonder.

08/13/2026

It’s Throwback Thursday! Today, we remember Mervat, who used a HANDS microloan to build her chicken-breeding business. A small investment in her life is helping her support her household. Stories like hers remind us why supporting entrepreneurial Egyptians matters!

08/06/2026

Amal became the sole caregiver of her family after her husband fell severely ill. She struggled with this task because she needed to cover her husband’s treatment expenses as well as the food and school expenses of her two children.

However, thanks to the generosity of the HANDS community, Amal was able to participate in the Microfarms for Mothers project, run in partnership with CEOSS. She received a goat, animal feed, training and some basic supplies to start her new farm. This opportunity changed her life! Her goat healthily gave birth to two kids, which motivated her to buy another goat, and soon she was able to cover all of her household’s needs with her livestock.

Amal would not have been able to create a brighter future for her family without the support of friends like you. Thank you for bringing hope to families, like Amal’s, across Egypt through your generosity.

07/30/2026

It’s Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re looking back to 2018 and saying “mabrouk” to all the graduates of that year’s Young Entrepreneurs Program! We are so excited to watch your businesses grow. Your achievements continue to inspire us!

Many thanks to the U.S. Embassy Cairo and our generous HANDS supporters for making this program possible.

07/29/2026

We're excited to announce that Kamel Boutros will return to provide special musical entertainment at this year's Fall Benefit Dinner in NYC!

Born in Egypt, Kamel earned a Master's degree in Opera Performance from the Curtis Institute. Throughout his career, he has performed with other notable artists, including pianist Martha Argerich in Europe and Japan, and has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival, the Metropolitan Opera, and in a gala concert with the late Luciano Pavarotti conducted by James Levine. His work has also been recognized with honors including first prize in Opera Index's Competition and the Sullivan Foundation Career Award.

Join us on Thursday, October 15th, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Players on Gramercy Park for an evening of community, celebration, and impact. We look forward to gathering with friends and supporters to celebrate the work being made possible through your generosity and to enjoy a special program of recognition and entertainment. Be sure to reserve your tickets soon; early-bird rates end on July 31! RSVP now for early-bird discounts: https://hands.networkforgood.com/events/100474-fall-2026-benefit-event-in-nyc

07/23/2026

Mervat, a mother in Egypt, struggled to provide for her four children and cover basic living expenses with her family’s limited income. However, after Mervat learned about and joined the HANDS-sponsored Microfarms for Mothers program (run with our local partner CEOSS) she received the proper knowledge and supplies to manage her own farm, such as her own goat, and soon was able to comfortably support her family with a steady income and have a brighter future.

This past Mother’s Day, the HANDS’ community provided 21 new microfarms to mothers like Mervat, allowing them to experience the brighter future that Mervat’s family got to see. We’re grateful to everyone who participated and helped mothers in Egypt transform their lives from one of struggle to one of hope. 💙

07/21/2026

We're thrilled to introduce this year's keynote speaker, Nimet Habachy. Born in Cairo and raised in New York City, Nimet developed a lifelong love of music shaped by classical music and American musical films, and from a young age she actively sought out opportunities to experience live performances. In 1980, she joined WQXR as an overnight host, becoming part of the station's longstanding tradition of classical music broadcasting. At this year's event, Nimet will share a nostalgic portrait of Egypt through song.

Join us on Thursday, October 15th, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Players on Gramercy Park (16 Gramercy Pk S, New York, NY 10003) for an evening of community, celebration, and impact. We look forward to gathering with friends and supporters to celebrate the work being made possible through HANDS and to enjoy a special program of recognition and entertainment. Be sure to reserve your tickets soon early-bird rates end on July 31! RSVP now for early-bird discounts at:

https://hands.networkforgood.com/events/100474-fall-2026-benefit-event-in-nyc

07/17/2026

Friends in the NYC area: Please join us on Thursday, October 15, for an evening of community, celebration, and impact! We look forward to gathering with friends and supporters to celebrate the life transformations that you are making possible and to enjoy a special program of recognition and entertainment. Be sure to reserve your tickets soon! Early-bird rates end on July 31!

The evening will begin with a silent auction featuring Egyptian handicrafts and unique items from local businesses, accompanied by the sounds of Egyptian music. Guests will then enjoy a three-course dinner and a program that includes a live musical performance by Kamal Boutros, a keynote address by Nimet Habachy, sharing a nostalgic portrait of Egypt through song, the presentation of the Egyptian-American Changemakers Award to Suzy Wahba, and stories of women whose lives have been transformed through your support of HANDS.
Please invite your friends and family. We'd love to have you join us!

RSVP now for early-bird discounts:

https://hands.networkforgood.com/events/100474-fall-2026-benefit-event-in-nyc

07/16/2026

It’s Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re highlighting this post from 2019 on World Youth Skills Day, when we celebrated youth in Upper Egypt who were gaining new skills through HANDS-sponsored programs. Thanks to our generous supporters, they are now thriving in IT positions, secretarial work, makeup artistry, and more. Thank you for giving youth in Egypt a chance to build thriving careers!

07/15/2026

‼️GlobalGiving’s July Bonus Day begins TODAY at 10:00 AM EST, and you only have 24 hours to give a donation of $100+ that will be MATCHED. Proceeds go towards HANDS’ new Smart Water Management for Small Farmers initiative, which reduces food insecurity and strengthens the livelihoods of people in Upper Egypt. 🌍

Our program provides drip irrigation systems (traditional and solar powered) and hands-on training to small farmers, lowering their costs while increasing their awareness of eco-friendly agricultural practices. For the next 24 hours, we are asking you to support our project by donating $100+ through our Global Giving page (linked below) and sharing the link with your network to multiply your impact. 💯

Thank you for your generosity towards local farmers in Egypt! We truly appreciate your commitment to bettering the lives of people by helping build resilience and access to water and food. 💙

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/smartwatersmallfarmersegypt/

This project helps small farmers in Upper Egypt use water and energy more efficiently. It will install 20 drip irrigation systems and 2 solar-powered drip irrigation models in Minya, reducing water use by 30-50% and energy costs by 60-80%. It also includes farmer training, technical support, and U.S...