Community development
‘Many times, we cannot meet all the needs of the people, but we can show compassion and we can love them. We seek to be like Jesus Christ – this is one of our core values.’ Amira Makram, Deputy Director, Refuge Egypt
Community development covers a whole range of activities and programmes. Embrace the Middle East supports projects in refugee camps, housing and infrastructure projects, reconciliation programmes, micro-finance schemes, food security programmes and literacy projects. Community development projects tend to be distinguishable by their sustainability – both financially and in terms of leadership. They are practical, lasting interventions which have a significant impact on the target community.
Here are just two examples of how our partners are making a difference...
Habitat for Humanity, Lebanon
Nada (23) and her mother, Georgette, live in a two-room house in the Jdeideh Metn suburb of Beirut. After Georgette's husband, Panos, passed away 5 years ago, she was the only one left to take care of Nada. Their home did not have proper sanitation, a proper water heater or mosquito nets to keep out insects. As Nada is mentally handicapped, she is forced to spend a lot of time in the home, so the quality of her environment is very important.
When Habitat for Humanity Lebanon (HFHL) visited Georgette and Nada in their humble home, they were greeted with warmth and welcomed with joy. HFHL replaced the old bathroom seat, changed the kitchen and bathroom taps, stopped the leaking, and installed an electric water heater. Not only that, but HFHL put in mosquito nets on 3 windows and installed kitchen cabinets for the family’s daily use. Georgette and Nada finally have a decent home where they can feel safe and secure.
“You have lifted a big burden from my shoulders and I am grateful for your kind support” says Georgette.
Think & Do, Upper Egypt
Here are three small examples of how the Think & Do Life School in Egypt is making a difference in individual lives, which has an eddect on whole families.
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1) Nadia shared that she was sick and had to go to the doctor. As her family members were busy, she had to go by herself. She was able to read the name of the doctor; she was happy as she felt that she is clever and can now read like others. |
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2) Nabila, 27 years old, said: “I am married and have 2 children. When discussing any issue, I used to fight with my husband and mother-in-law, talking loudly and using insulting words. Then I learned how to speak and hold a dialogue. I became patient and no longer fight violently. My relationships with my husband and mother-in-law have improved.” |
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3) Another Nadia is married with children. After listening to the subject of positivity she decided to start a small micro-enterprise initiative to improve the income of her family. She plans to buy a cow and to use the income it produces to educate her daughter. |
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