Programs in Egypt

Social Services

Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE): a literacy and job-skills training center for women, Cairo

This is a program dedicated to preserving the environment while improving the lives of those who live and work amidst city waste. In poor areas of Cairo, entire families live on trash dumps, earning their livelihood by collecting and sorting the city’s garbage at their homes. These areas are often called “Garbage Cities”. APE offers an opportunity to girls and women from garbage collectors’ families to receive education and training, and engage in income-generating activities. The girls attend literacy classes, so that they can later continue their education. APE teaches young women to use recycled materials to create colorful rugs, quilts, cards and stationary. The girls, who are taught either weaving, quilting, or paper-recycling, receive income from the products they create.

Fairhaven School for the Handicapped, Alexandria

Fairhaven School for mentally challenged children started with ten children and four teachers. Today, it has grown into a special education institution with 185 students and 73 teachers. Students range from age two to adolescents, and a multitude of classes and activities are offered to meet the special needs of attendees. The school provides activities that improve academic performance, support positive behavior, promote self-care and independence, strengthen physical capacities, improve expression through speech therapy, and train students for vocations. Students participate in special tournaments in Egypt and internationally.

Lillian Trasher Orphanage, Assiut

Lillian Trasher Orphanage, in Assiut, was founded in the early 1900’s by a young American woman, known among Egyptians simply as "Mama Lillian". She dedicated her whole life to caring for orphaned children. Since its establishment, the orphanage has cared for over 20,000 children. Besides children who lost ether one or both parents, this organization takes care of widowed mothers and their children. It is currently home to 400 orphans, 40 widows, and 50 staff members with their families. Children are offered social, educational, recreational and vocational activities, as well as complete health care. Most importantly, they are brought up with a sense of belonging to one big, loving family.

Think and Do Micro Credit Loan Program

Think and Do provides loans for micro-enterprise. The loans are given to socio-economically disadvantaged people in order to start a small business or make their existing small business commercially viable. Loans are given and managed through local committees around the country, especially in the villages of Upper Egypt. Funding is normally in the amount of EGP 1,000 or EGP 2,000. The repayment period is two years. In cases of particular need, such as widows with dependent children, Think and Do gives small non-repayable grants for micro enterprise. Some grants are given in the form of tools to enable deserving trainees to set up a small business such as plumbing or hairdressing.

Village of Hope Center for the Mentally Challenged, Alexandria

The Village of Hope is a non-governmental organization in Alexandria, established to provide much needed care and attention to one of the most marginalized groups in Egyptian society – mentally-challenged young people. This center also offers a day care that includes medical and psychological services. Young adults have the opportunity to attend vocational training programs designed to enable them to play an active role in society and to enhance their life skills. The students also participate in various sports. The center is very active in advocating for the needs and rights of these groups with national policy makers.

Fagalla Community Outreach

This church-led program in Cairo is providing medical, educational, and counseling support to needy people in the community.