Rasha Mekky

Founder & Executive Director, Yalla Kafala (Cairo, Egypt)

Rasha Mekky is the driving force behind a profound systemic shift in Egypt’s unaccompanied children sector. Her work is defined by a singular, uncompromising mission: the de-institutionalization of the care system to ensure that every child’s right to a family is honored. As a relentless advocate, Rasha has transitioned the concept of Kafala from a quiet act of charity into a robust, national public policy priority.

Rasha’s leadership has built Yalla Kafala into a national infrastructure provider, driving the organization’s mission to provide the educational, legal, emotional, and social support systems necessary to make family-based care a reality for every child. By bridging the critical gap between grassroots family needs and high-level governmental mandates, she is actively realizing a vision of an Egypt where no child is left in an institution and “belonging” is a guaranteed right.

Her approach is built upon three core competencies: Clinical Expertise in Child Development, Policy Reform, and the “Kafala Journey” Framework. Under her guidance, Yalla Kafala provides the essential engine for systemic change by integrating family-based care resources, legal justice, financial security, and specialized trauma-informed programs. This comprehensive strategy ensures that families and caregivers are not just supported, but empowered to create a sustainable ecosystem of belonging that honors the dignity of every child.