Grace Klauer: Catching up with Precinct Alumni in Cairo
In December 2023 I had the pleasure of meeting with several Presidential Precinct alumni while visiting friends in Cairo, Egypt. It was heartwarming to hear how much our alumni continue to enjoy and benefit from their participation in a Precinct program.
Touka Gamal regaled me with stories about her International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) group – 17 visitors from many regions of the world who came to the Precinct in May 2023 to discuss best practices in “Volunteerism and Civic Action”. Touka shared many examples of a lasting camaraderie they shared, including when Madi Keay, her fellow visitor from New Zealand, visited Cairo and even accompanied Touka to an Egyptian wedding!
I also met with Hala Doma, Amal Mahmoud, and Nesma Mohamed, three lawyers who traveled to Williamsburg in August 2023 for an IVLP on “Promoting Gender Equality in the Egyptian Justice System”. This was the first program that I took the lead on after joining the Presidential Precinct team, so I was particularly excited to be reunited with Hala, Amal, and Nesma. We reminisced about their visit, and I was touched to know how much they appreciated our hospitality and care. This hospitality, I must add, would not be possible without our dear partners at William & Mary’s Reves Center for International Studies. Kate Hoving was a huge part in making their stay in Williamsburg special; Hala, Amal, and Nesma all told me to give Kate their best.
Additional meetings introduced me to alumni who came to the Precinct before me. It was fascinating to simply sit back and listen to how the IVLP impacted them and their work. I loved hearing about Reham Zaky’s continued involvement in the IVLP network since she came to the Precinct in September 2018. Reham was a featured guest in the Precinct’s 2019 Global Pathfinder Summit for her work in preserving and safeguarding cultural heritage. More recently, she was a 2023 IVLP Impact Award winner. Reham clearly models the enduring connections throughout our alumni network that result in tangible career opportunities and powerful stories of inspiration alike.
With the final alumni meeting of this trip, I was reminded of just how long connections in the Presidential Precinct network can endure. Mohamed Sabry participated in our 2015 Global Leadership Forum – a discussion of “Global Empowerment through Rule of Law” that also celebrated the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta’s signing. Mohamed described the event through his own eyes, particularly getting to meet King (then Prince) Charles, which he underlined as an unforgettable moment.
I love connecting with our visitors – whether it be on their first day at the Presidential Precinct or many years after their departure. They show me the value of international exchanges through their eyes, share with me their countries and cultures, and open my eyes to different perspectives. Engaging with these alumni in their home country was truly special for me, and I can’t wait to see how they continue to make an impact through their work.
