Giving back is one of the best ways to boost your mood and make a difference. Philanthropy has always been important, but it’s particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Katia Jundi is an Egyptian model and philanthropist, making a massive difference in the world through her charity work.
Katia Jundi is an ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages. This charity provides care, education, and health services for children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. They operate in 136 countries throughout the world and care for 78,000 children and young people. Jundi uses her reputation as an influencer to help draw attention to this cause. “I hosted my first charity fundraiser in 2019 with Zina Khair and Miriam Abadi,” she said. “It was attended by over 150 people and raised USD 74,000. Since then, I’ve been organizing charity events as often as I can.”
Jundi has traveled across the globe to help children in need, to places like India, Jordan, and Lebanon. “I love being able to meet the kids we’re helping,” Jundi said. “I’m energized by this travel and always come back home wanting to do more.”
Charity work is even more critical right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Children around the world are learning virtually, which presents enormous challenges in some areas. They lack devices and online access to complete their studies. Children with disabilities are even more likely to see adverse effects on their education. SOS Children’s Villages is working to make learning more accessible to thousands of children throughout the world, but this work is mostly completed through donations. “Whatever you can give helps,” Jundi said. “Whether it’s your time or money, you have something to give to children in need. Donations are especially important right now since we can’t hold our regular charity events. Education is vital and needs to be protected.”
In addition to issues with education, COVID-19 has made it more difficult for parents to find jobs and provide for their families. There aren’t policies that help care leavers find jobs in the public sector, either. This leads to food insecurity and housing issues. “If you don’t have money or time, one of the best things you can do is raise awareness. Many people don’t know about SOS Children’s Villages or how they can advocate for care for young people. The more people know about our organization, the easier it is for us to help kids.” she says.
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone harshly, some populations have been inordinately impacted by the virus. It’s essential to find time and money to give back as much as you can.