Rowan’s view from Egypt

This week’s Marvelous Monday is the amazing story of one of our students. We are starting with Rowan, as she holds the honor of having enrolled in our school the most times. Rowan, a wonderful young woman from Egypt has enrolled in our school seven of the fifteen years the school has been open. Rowan and her family come to the Amplatz Children’s Hospital for treatment for her brother’s rare immune compromising diagnosis. As she says below, she learned English in our school as well as many other life lessons. Rowan attended the Ronald McDonald House School for part of her first, second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh grades. Rowan is a bright, gentle, kind and motivated young lady. She is a fabulous sister to her brother. She adapts to all of the changes his diagnosis has presented to her family. Rowan knows herself, in the midst of all the changes, and seeks out the support and help she needs. As it is with all the children and families we have the privilege of knowing, it has been such a joy for the staff at the House to get to know Rowan and be a small part of her journey.

Rowan writes…..

We love when Rowan and her family are "home" with us!


"I owe having an enchanting one-of-a-kind childhood to The Ronald McDonald House school. Mrs. Britain is a teacher one cannot fail to admire and I'm eternally grateful for her help in teaching me English although I’m from Egypt and English was so foreign to me. Mrs. B helped make learning easier with her fun-loving spirit and excellent skills. This school made me a stronger, more confident person. It was my second home because I could be myself in it and express myself freely. I really loved positrations in school where everyone would share what they did last week and we would all listen with such excitement and love, like a big family. So many precious memories, I remember when it was Halloween and Mike served us the best scary food, and all the thrilling costumes! Also, when Mrs. Britain and I were interviewed by a journalist which was published in the newspaper just before I went back to Egypt in 2010. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have had such an experience. I'm truly blessed, even in hard times the school managed to brighten up my day with its vividly colored walls and never-ending shelves of books. Not only has the RMH School helped boost me academically, it taught me the most important lessons in life; it taught me to be kind and understanding ...for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. It taught me to be happy be bright and most importantly be myself!"

Thank you Rowan for sharing with all of us. We think of you often.

Rowan made many friends from all over the world while she was here. And she read and read and read. Stay tuned in the coming weeks. We will describe some of the special things about the school that Rowan mentioned. What is a positration? How are holidays celebrated in our school? Who is this Mrs. Britain? A classroom as a family? Stay tuned! There is lots to share!