Egypt’s Minister of Culture meets Heba, the fig seller

CAIRO – 23 august 2020: Egypt’s Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem received the student, Heba Abdel-Hamid, whose story of hard work and dedication went viral on social media.

Heba works as a fig seller in the mornings and an assistant in one of the physical therapy clinics in the evenings. She is determined to achieve her dream to complete her studies and become a professional singer.

Abdel Dayem said that Heba Abdel Hamid is an honorable model for the Egyptian girl who wants to prove herself and realize her ambitions, encouraging her to stay determined and to join the upcoming Golden Voice competition.

As an embodiment of the state's role in discovering and adopting promising young talents,

Abdel Dayem decided to grant Heba a free scholarship to study at the singing class at the Talent Development Center at the Opera House to refine her talent. 

For her part, Heba Abdel Hamid thanked the minister for her support, explaining that she had discovered her talent at the age of 10 years, and her father supported her. Abdel Hamid stated she decided to help the father pay her school fees.