Plan Egypt is working with parents of disabled children to bring out the abilities in them.

Plan’s strategy in Egypt is aimed at ensuring that all children enjoy their rights to survival, development and protection and participation.

The main issues facing children in Egypt are:

• a variety of diseases among infants and children, such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection
• limited access to safe drinking water, connection to sewage systems, and lack of garbage collection and waste disposal services in homes and schools
• low quality education due to overcrowded classrooms, non-specialised teachers, schools running in double shifts, and old teaching methods
• child labour and mistreatment, and a high number of street children in urban areas
• weak child participation in schools and communities.

Key goals

To address these issues, Plan Egypt strives to:

• facilitate access to services for infants and young children in the areas of health, nutrition and education
• support construction, renovation and provision of equipment to medical centres
• raise community awareness on the importance of education
• help improve existing educational conditions by supporting the renovation of school buildings, encouraging teacher training, and facilitating the provision of equipment and furniture
• raise awareness on the rights of children with disabilities and support communities to respect and create opportunities for such children
• facilitate the provision of safe water, sanitation and waste disposal services in homes and schools.

These issues are addressed by:

• building relationships with children, families, communities, non-governmental organisations and the government
• supporting the creation of children's groups, supporting recreational facilities, and building children's capacity to encourage their participation in issues which concern them
• facilitating awareness sessions on leadership and women's rights and issues, and promoting women's participation in problems related to the development of their communities.

Achievements

Over the years, Plan Egypt’s programmes have improved the status of children by increasing school attendance, decreasing dropout rates, improving student performance, and wider children and parent participation.

 We have also helped improve the quality of teachers in all schools in the areas where we work.

Significant progress has been made in the creation of children’s clubs, ensuring that children have safe places to read and to play. We have also helped children to participate in the development of their communities.