Child sponsors can choose from three care centres in Egypt, all helping children and the surrounding community.

ABOUT EGYPT

Egypt has a vast population with  just over 72 million people presently living in this African country.  With the majority of incomes derived from the oil, natural gas and tourism industries, most people live in the Nile Delta locale and the area is severely overcrowded.   This heavy population concentration in Northern Egypt has yielded a multitude of social and economic problems and most alarmingly, poverty is on the rise.

The urban centres have grown too quickly and there is little infrastructure to support the inhabitants.  This has resulted in slums, poor living conditions and little in the way of sanitation systems.  Children grow up with less access to education per capita compared to the majority of their neighbouring nations and few prospects outside of an already saturated tourism workforce.

With parents often too poor to completely support them, children are left in a position to enter into illegal activities just to survive. Pickpocketing and theft are common activities among the young population and this can lead to a dangerous adult lifestyle.

Air quality is low due to a lack of emission regulation and pollution and this combination of overcrowding and poor quality air has resulted in low health especially amongst young children.  The healthcare system is under stress and these maladies are preventable, making it frustrating for the caregivers.

SOS IN EGYPT

SOS Children’s Villages appreciates these problems and so began its aid work  in 1977 with a residential Children’s Village.  This village is home to thirty-three homes for children, several youth homes, schools for all ages and a vocational training centre.  The training centre offers career skills that will allow young adults autonomy and choice in their future lives.  Courses include IT, dressmaking and agricultural studies, all relevant to the existing job markets in Egypt today.

The second location was opened three years later in Alexandria and is still going strong today.  It is located near the sea and is home to summer holiday bungalows that provide a getaway for children who have never left their city.  It also provides eleven family homes, two youth houses and a nursery.

The Tanta location is also outside of the urban centres and provides homes for over a hundred children.  The twelve family homes grow their own produce in order to allow a measure of self-sufficientcy and provide an opportunity to teach farming skills to the children.  The two youth houses are for those who are almost ready to enter the workforce and begin a career, they can learn and live with their peers for as long as they need.