Magda Moussa

When you enter Magda Moussa’s office at the Misr Language School you feel as if you are entering a huge party. In fact, you are. A party fueled by the path for unbiased knowledge. A party filled with family, friends and laughing children. A party for everyone. Magda juggles kisses, impromptu dance recitals, phone calls and endless bouquets of flowers with the grace of a butterfly. She flutters around the room, calling each child by name, giving out hugs and constantly smiling. Everyone around her loves her. She exudes warmth and generosity and her happiness is truly genuine. She is an exemplary and beautiful woman.

Her office speaks of her achievements. Plaques of success adorn the wall. Full-Bright Scholarships, Ambassador of Good Will diplomas (signed by Bill Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas), Young African Leader certificates and many, many more. All these are surrounded by pictures of her “special” students and her son (who has followed in her footsteps by working at the school), with Hillary and Bill Clinton at the White House. President Hosny Mubarak inaugurating the opening of the school, Suzanne Mubarak inaugurating a new wing (the teachers research and development center in 1988) and old pictures of Magda at the beginning of her career. Magda Moussa has definitely come a long way.

Magda has been in the education business for 25 years. She finished University in Egypt and continued on to London to receive a teaching degree specializing in mentally retarded children. Her special devotion to these handicapped children was called on immediately when she became close to a family who had a “special” son. Magda remembers, “`They didn’t know what to do with him, they were thinking of putting him into a mental institution, I couldn’t bare the thought.” So Magda, who was then at the El Horreya School, took the boy in and began the first of her experiments in integrated studies for mentally handicapped children. “At first the whole school was upset. The teachers didn’t know how to handle the boy and the parents and students were uncomfortable,” she says. Magda, instead of giving up, took the time to educate the parents, the school and the students on the mentally handicapped boy and his situation. Magda says, “people are afraid of what’s different, they had never mixed with “special” children before.” Soon her one student became a class of three and history was made. Now today at Misr Language School, were she is principal, she has a fully integrated system. “`The ‘special’ students mix with the normal students. They have music, art, gym and extracurricular activities together. The normal students have a better understanding of the other children and the special children feel great psychologically because they are out and about with the other children.” It works out perfect on all levels. Integration has proven itself; her school is one of obvious harmony where there is laughter and creativity everywhere. She has managed to achieve cohesiveness in an area that usually alienates. “The parents are happier, the children progress quicker, and I’m happy.” Her school has 2,500 students, 100 of which are handicapped and 7 are blind. They are involved in the Special Olympics, theater, such as an upcoming production of Annie, and are trained to work when they graduate. They work out in a state of the art gym, play on the soccer field, sculpt with clay and weave rugs, one of which was even bought by Suzanne Mubarak, that could hold there own amongst the professional ones. 

Along with her 2,500 children (she really considers them her own) Magda has 3 sons and 1 daughter, a combination of hers and her second husband, Ismail Osman. Osman says proudly of his wife, “She is able to combine her family and public responsibilities with such grace and kindness. She handles all children on a mental, emotional and spiritual level so that no matter what mental capacities they have, Magda is able to deal with them. She recognizes their strengths and gives them power. She recognizes their uniqueness and potential and helps them attain their needs and aspirations, no matter who they are.”

“Beauty of the soul reflects itself on the face,” Her abundantly supportive husband states. This is clearly the reason why Magda is so beautiful. Of her beauty she speaks humbly, “I jog everyday and/or go on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I had stopped a few years back because of an accident but then I look at my “special “ children and I think of what they accomplish everyday and it gives me strength.” Magda’s eyes fill with tears when she speaks of her love for her students, she explains, “At this school we recognize that all pupils are different. Our purpose is to provide them with varied experiences that will enable them to achieve their maximum potential and become productive members of society.” 

Magda does not see herself as a separate entity. She is her school and her work. Magda's youthfulness clearly comes from working with her “special” children and seeing them succeed in this harsh world that could easily walk all over them. She, herself, acknowledges that this is where her true happiness comes from. “If I am youthful or beautiful, I owe it all to them”, she states proudly. Her future dream is simple, to make all children of the world happy. In her own microcosm of the world, she is already succeeding!