12-year-old teacher helps kids to learn during pandemic in Egypt

When the schools across Egypt were shut due to the coronavirus pandemic, a 12-year-old girl took it upon herself to teach children in her neighbourhood.

Reem El Khouly started offering instruction to her younger neighbours in Atmidah, about 80 km northeast of Cairo.

Initially Khouly started using just a notebook to teach kids, but as more and more children joined her classes, people gave her a blackboard and some chalk.

Later on a local company donated whiteboard and marker pens.

Every day up to 30 children gather for school lessons in a narrow village street in Egypt's northern Dakahlia province.

"I thought that instead of having them play in the street, I can teach them," said Khouly.

"I wake up in the morning, pray and I call them to start the classes. I teach them Arabic, mathematics, religion and English."

And the feedback she is getting from her students and their parents is amazing.

"Once the schools were closed, Reem started teaching us so that we don't forget what we learned at school," said Mohamed Abdel Moneim, a nine-year-old who attends the classes.

"I love Miss Reem because I really understand Arabic, maths and English due to her teaching."

As for herself Khouly aspires to be maths teacher whe she grows up.

"My mum didn't encourage me in the beginning because my voice was loud, but she encouraged me when she saw how the students were interacting with me and benefiting, and told me I can do this as long as I like it," she says.