Inside the halls of Port Said’s Evangelical Church, the sound of sizzling pans and the aroma of fresh spices fill the air long before dawn.
For the fourth consecutive year, this Christian house of worship has transformed into a bustling culinary hub, hosting the “Egyptian Kitchen by Her Daughters’ Hands” initiative to provide 6,800 high-quality Iftar meals to Muslim families across the governorate.
Beyond charity: A message of solidarity
The initiative, spearheaded by the National Council for Women (NCW), is more than just a feeding program; it is a powerful statement of national unity.
The rapporteur of the NCW’s Port Said branch, Naglaa Edwar, explains that choosing the church to host the kitchen was intentional.
“We wanted to send a message to the world that the Egyptian people are one,” Edwar says.
“By preparing these meals inside the church, we prove that our bonds are unbreakable and unaffected by any attempt at division.”
Culinary excellence with a conscience
The operation is a model of efficiency and care.
Every day, 400 hot meals—ranging from fresh local beef and chicken to rice and seasonal vegetables—are prepared to the highest standards.
To protect the dignity of the recipients, the NCW utilizes a specialized vehicle to deliver the food directly to homes in the most vulnerable neighborhoods, ensuring the process remains private and respectful.
The heart of this kitchen is Chef Atwa, a dedicated servant of the Evangelical Church. Despite the winter chill and a long commute, he arrives at three am daily to begin preparations.
“I wait for this every year,” he says. “Preparing the best possible food for my fasting Muslim brothers gives me immense joy.”
Empowerment through the apron
The “Egyptian Kitchen” serves a dual purpose as a sustainable development project. It functions as a training academy for local women and young girls, teaching them:
- Professional gastronomy: Trainees work under expert chefs to master large-scale banquet planning.
- Economic management: Lessons include budgeting, calculating quantities, and resource management—essential skills for “mothers of the future.”
- Food safety: Strict adherence to quality and hygiene standards to ensure professional-grade output.
A collaborative vision
Coming as of the National Project for Egyptian Family Development and the Presidential “New Beginning” initiative, the kitchen operates in partnership with the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and the Decent Life (Hayah Karima) Foundation.
Together, they ensure that no village in the south or west of Port Said is left behind.
As the 2026 Ramadan season continues, the smoke rising from the Evangelical Church’s kitchen remains a beacon of communal love—a place where faith and service blend to nourish both the body and the national spirit.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
