The association was established in 1989 in Ezbet Khairallah, Zahraa Misr El Qadima — one of the informal areas inhabited by migrants from Upper Egypt, low-income groups, and marginalized communities. From the beginning, we faced many challenges in the area. We noticed a significant decline in the social level, which required forming a team from within the community. A team of local residents, including both women and men (leaders and volunteers), was recruited to ensure sustainability in serving the community through the association. Based on a field study we conducted using participatory rapid appraisal methods and with the participation of trained staff, volunteers, and residents, the study at the time revealed the following:
Average family income was EGP 150 per month.
Unemployment rate in the area reached 80%.
Illiteracy rate exceeded 80%, especially among children, women, and men, due to the influx of uneducated migrants from Upper Egypt.
Scarcity of schools.
Widespread diseases and poor health (malnutrition, anemia).
Environmental pollution.
Lack of sanitary bathrooms.
Lack of health awareness.
Work on basic needs began as follows:
Educational Programs
Established literacy classes for women, men, and children deprived of education, enrolling them in schools in collaboration with the Adult Education Authority.
Created after-school study rooms for primary students (4 rooms) to reduce dropouts, provide a suitable study environment, balanced meals, and graduation parties for encouragement.
Organized a summer club for children to learn skills and proper behavior through games and educational films.
Health Programs
Launched health awareness classes for women to promote healthy habits and prevent infectious diseases through a 3-month program with relevant topics and seminars.
Conducted home visits to follow up on women’s health knowledge and implementation.
Started nutrition classes for preschoolers by gathering 20 mothers to raise awareness on proper child care, providing meals, initial checkups, and monitoring growth.
Opened pregnancy care classes (3 months) to raise awareness of proper nutrition and provide checkups and balanced meals.
Technical Support Programs
Teamwork skills.
Health information delivery skills.
Community research.
Writing development projects.
Home visit skills.
Financial Support Programs
Monthly financial aid for 50 families (widows – orphans – patients).
In-kind assistance to 100 families monthly (groceries – meat).
Emergency aid for discreet families as needed (surgeries – weddings – funerals).
Collaboration with Other Institutions
1999–2007: Worked with Proliteracy to open literacy classes for men, women, and children.
2004–2006: Cooperated with the Episcopal Council for institutional development and comprehensive development programs.
2006: Worked with the Coptic Association for Social Care on the “Alam Simsim” mother-child skills project.
2006–2012: Collaborated with New Horizons Foundation to train staff on strategic planning, project management, and implement environmental and health awareness programs.
2007–2012: Provided women’s health awareness sessions with Proliteracy, focusing on primary healthcare.
2008–2011: Cooperated with Near East Foundation to deliver youth reproductive health and life skills programs.
2008–2010: Worked with Evangelical Synod of the Nile on HIV/AIDS awareness classes.
2008–2011: Continued the “Alam Simsim” project with Khair wa Baraka Association.
2010: Worked with Egyptian Food Bank to distribute 67 monthly food boxes.
2011: Collaborated with Near East Foundation on youth reproductive health and peer trainer development.
Partnered with the Food Bank to distribute 400 food boxes for 25 January 2011 Revolution victims.
2019–2020: Organized girls’ reproductive health classes, community seminars, and pilot literacy classes using the LOBAC curriculum.
2020: Partnered with Khair wa Baraka to distribute emergency aid for COVID-19 affected families.
2022–2023: Worked with Proliteracy on women and child health sessions, family planning awareness, and life skills.
2023–2026: Partnered with Proliteracy, Abba Sefein Association, and Kentucky Co. to provide literacy classes for women, men, and children out of school.
