CAIRO: Parents at a primary Egyptian school expressed their anger after a student was gifted a “towel” as a prize for winning the second place at a nationwide competition.
To honor the fifth-grade student, the Taha Hussien School in Suez Governorate handed the winner a blue towel during the morning general assembly.
A relative of the student, quoted by Youm7 newspaper, considered what the school has done “an insult to our own child” and “an inappropriate” reaction to his remarkable achievement.
“They could have told us that they were unable financially to honor our son with a respectable prize,” the relative added.
“We would have paid for it and given it to the school to present to him,” he was quoted as saying.
A source at the Ministry of Education said they were surprised upon seeing the picture posted on the school’s Facebook page. The source also said they were going to honor the student in an appropriate way and an investigation will be launched into the incident.
Parents angry after primary school in Egypt gifts winning student a ‘towel’
Parents angry after primary school in Egypt gifts winning student a ‘towel’
Essex man takes on charity endurance challenge for children in Gaza
- Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual Sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 2,287 miles
LONDON: A man in England has launched a demanding charity challenge to raise funds for children affected by the war in Gaza.
Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual Sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 2,287 miles through running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing.
He is raising money for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK-based humanitarian organization providing healthcare to Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.
“I have felt helpless day after day seeing images of countless children in Gaza with broken bodies and missing limbs and witnessing their unbearable suffering,” Watson said on his JustGiving page.
“I have been inspired by the courage of those who took part in the global Sumud flotilla and all of the activists who have put their lives and freedom at risk supporting the Palestinian people and so I am raising funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
“My challenge is to complete a virtual Sumud from Harlow, where I live, to Gaza. Running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing I will cover the 2,287 miles as quickly as I can.
“I am an unfit, overweight 63-year-old, so I’m not going to break any records, but the Arabic word Sumud means steadfastness and perseverance and I will give it my all.
Watson added: “I hope to be joined by people I love and admire along the way, so please support my fundraiser. Every donation, however small, will help save the lives of Palestinians.”
As of January 3, his fundraiser had reached 12 per cent of its £5,000 target.
The war in Gaza began after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which local health authorities say has resulted in the deaths of more than 71,000 Palestinians, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and a severe humanitarian crisis.
International aid agencies have repeatedly warned that children have been among the most affected, facing injury, displacement, malnutrition and limited access to medical care.
Watson said he was inspired by activists and humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians and hopes his challenge can make a small contribution toward saving lives.
