September 23, 2023
Rasha Mekky

Photos via Little Pharaohs Daycare and Preschool

Have you ever wondered what it takes to switch careers from tourism to childcare? Let me tell you how I made the transition, what inspired me to do so, and what challenges and rewards I encountered along the way.

Hello, my name is Rasha Mekky and I am a childcare provider and a business owner in San Francisco. I have been working with children for almost 30 years and I love what I do. I enjoy helping children learn, grow, and have fun.

But my career path was not always clear to me. In fact, I started out in a very different field: tourism and hotel management. I was born and raised in Egypt, where tourism is a major industry and a popular career choice. I studied tourism management at the university and graduated in 1990. I then worked as a flight attendant for several years, traveling around the world and meeting different people. It was an exciting and glamorous job, however, I also felt that I was not making a real difference in the world or fulfilling my potential.

I realized that I wanted to do something more meaningful and satisfying with my life. I moved to San Francisco in 1993, where I discovered that there was a high demand for childcare services, and that there were many opportunities to learn and work in this field. I enrolled in child development courses at a local community college, and eventually earned multiple certificates and a degree.

Meanwhile, I started working as a nanny for some families in San Francisco, where I gained practical experience and built trust and reputation. In 1997, I was able to find a location and start my own home daycare business, Little Pharaohs Daycare & Preschool. It was a challenging but rewarding process, as I had to deal with many aspects such as licensing, regulations, marketing, staffing, finances, etc. But I was determined and motivated to make it work.

I also had a personal reason to start my own daycare business. I hoped that one day I would have my own child, who would be part of my daycare. But despite going through five failed IVF attempts, it was heartbreaking for me to accept that I would never be able to have my own biological child. Working with children for almost 30 years helped me cope with the longing for my own child. My daycare was everything to me, and the kids were like my children. I gave them all the love, care, and education they needed.

Currently, I work as a childcare provider/lead teacher/director at my own daycare.  I love my job and the children I work with. Every day is a new adventure and a new opportunity to learn something new. I also enjoy collaborating with my colleagues, who are supportive and professional. We share ideas, resources, and feedback to improve our practice and provide the best possible service to the children and their families.

Moreover, one of the special things about my daycare is my Egyptian home cooking for the kids. I grew up eating delicious and healthy food made with fresh ingredients and spices. I learned how to cook from my mother and aunts, who taught me the secrets of Egyptian cuisine. I love to share my culture and heritage with the kids, and expose them to different flavors and textures.

The kids love to try new foods and learn about their origins and names. They often ask me questions about Egypt and its culture, history, and geography. I enjoy answering their curiosity and teaching them some Arabic words and phrases. I also play some Egyptian music and show them some pictures and videos of my homeland. I believe that exposing the kids to different cultures and cuisines helps them develop a global perspective and an appreciation for diversity.

I don’t regret changing careers from tourism to childcare. In fact, I think that my previous experience in tourism has helped me in my current role. I have learned how to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and cultures, how to adapt to different situations and challenges, and how to appreciate diversity and respect differences. These are all valuable skills in the childcare sector, where we work with children from various ethnicities, religions, languages, and abilities.

I believe that childcare is not just a job, but a vocation. It requires passion, dedication, and commitment. It also requires continuous learning.

Rasha Mekky adopted (kafala) her son, Mostafa at the age of 45. She is also founder of Yalla Kafala Foundation (YK), a USA based NGO founded in 2020 with the vision to build the best possible future for orphans and kafala (guardianship/adoption) families. Yalla Kafala is creating a better life for orphans in Egypt by raising awareness and shattering stereotypes about Kafala.

Photo: Rasha with her family

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