Plan helps integrate children in street situations back into the community as as well improve the quality of their life and future prospects.

There are number of key factors that contribute to the increasingly number of street children in Egypt. Poverty, unplanned rural-urban migration, family break ups, child abuse are just some of the causes to this phenomenon.

Plan Egypt works to reduce the number of street children, as well as to improve the quality of life and future prospects of these marginalised people.

The Programme

The programme aims to contribute to the integration of street children back into the community and works the association with community members, local organisationsand decision-makers who are responsible for taking appropriate actions to promote and protect children's rights.

The programme is implemented through 4 phases mainly focusing on networking:
Prevention: this involves working with vulnerable children and families by raising awareness and counselling.
Outreach: social workers meet with children in the streets to establish relations of trust and friendship
Transitional: focuses on community and street children participation, empowerment and skills development
Reintegration: where possible the children are reunited with families or their communities.

Achievements

• Establishment of a Street Children network in Alexandria and the Cairo South Street Children Committee
• Egyptian Association for Societal Consolidation (EASC) and Caritas have established day care centres that provide a supportive environment with access to food, clothing, medical examinations, hospital referrals, counselling and literacy classes, as well as vocational training opportunities
• Raised the awareness of community members (police officers, health professionals, teachers, parents and children, social workers).

Key partners and networks

Caritas
Horreya Association
The Social Protection Association of Karmouz
EASC.

Success Story

“Previously, I had no idea what child rights were. When I came to know what my rights are, I realized I have the right to play and express my opinion but with respect for others. I gained more self confidence since that happened”.