Our plan in Egypt

Plan is working at the grassroots level in Egypt to help communities to make real and lasting change, so that their children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Plan has worked in Egypt (population 82 million) since 1980 and currently has programs in the governorates of Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Beheira, and Kalyoubia.  Plan Egypt's programs aim to address the following issues affecting children:

• Childhood diseases such as diarrhea and acute respiratory infection
• Lack of antenatal and post natal care for mothers and babies at risk
• Need for protecting the rights of children with special needs
• Access to clean water, sanitation and waste disposal services in homes and schools
• Lack of quality of education
• Child labour, child abuse and a high number of street children in urban areas
• Lack of child participation in schools and communities
• Widespread poverty conditions, where families are not able to provide their children with appropriate education, health care and recreation

Plan's programs and strategies to address these issues include:

Maternal and childhood healthcare

To ensure their healthy growth and development, Plan assists pregnant women, mothers and their children and young women access medical services and also supports the construction, renovation and provision of equipment to community medical centers.

Pre-school, primary and secondary education

Low quality education due to overcrowded classrooms, non-specialized teachers, schools running in double shifts, and old teaching methods is widespread in Egypt. Plan aims to improve education by raising community awareness about its importance, encourage teacher training, support the renovation of school buildings and provide equipment and furniture. A recent pilot school improvement project in ten schools has already seen an increase in school attendance and a decrease in dropout rates, improved student performance, improved teacher skills and wider children and parent participation. Plan Egypt is now replicating this project throughout the schools in Plan-supported communities.

Child rights for children with disabilities

Plan is raising awareness about the rights of children with disabilities and supports communities to respect and create opportunities for disabled children.

Water, sanitation and waste disposal

Plan is providing access to clean water, proper sanitation and garbage/waste disposal services in homes and schools in the communities it supports.

Child rights and community-based organisations

By building relationships between children, families, communities, non-governmental organisations and the government, child rights are acknowledged and respected. For example, Plan Egypt has supported the creation of children clubs that provide children with a safe place to practice their hobbies, such as reading, playing, singing and drawing. They also give children the opportunity to participate in the development of their communities.

Family income to alleviate poverty

Vocational training workshops for unemployed family members provide them with  professional skills that can lead to a better job. Plan also provides families with small loans to help them start small businesses to increase their income.

See Plan's work in progress

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Country Facts

Country	Egypt	Australia
Flag
Population	72.6 Million	21 Million
Language	Arabic	English
Capital	Cairo	Canberra
GDP per capita (USD/year)	1,085	$37,300
Life expectancy	70.2	81.5
Access to safe drinking water	98%	100%
Literacy	71.4%	100%
Source:	United Nations: Millennium Development Goals Report 2006