Dorcas Aid

More Information:
Founded: 1980

Beginnings:
Dorcas Aid in Egypt is part of Dorcas Aid International, a Christian relief and development organisation committed to fulfilling the command of Jesus Christ to take care of the poor and oppressed, irrespective of their race, religion, gender or political conviction. It was begun by a small group of people in the Netherlands, mainly focused on assisting those imprisoned for their faith under the communist regime, and now operates to provide social, development and relief aid through over 100 projects in more than 20 countries in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa.

Activities:

Dorcas Aid's projects in Egypt cover a range of areas:

• Water and Sanitation
• Housing
• Healthcare and HIV/AIDS
• Child Care and Development
• Employment and Income
• Capacity Development

In May 2011 BibleLands trustees awarded a grant to fund the establishment of day-care centres in Cairo and parts of Upper Egypt for community-based rehabilitation work with young people with learning disabilities. The project is delivered in partnership with COC-BLESS, in locations selected based on the capacity for the growth of the centre to serve as many people with learning disabilities as possible. The training of trainers and the involvement of families and local communities are both priorities, and Dorcas aims for each new centre to be self-sustaining within two years.