Egypt: St. Andrew's Refugee Ministry

Location: Cairo, Egypt
Coordinators: Kathy Kamphoefner & Paul Pierce
Founded: 1979

How it all started
Many African refugees, mainly from Sudan and Somalia, come to Cairo to flee from persecution, war or disaster in their homelands. Refugees are people who, due to circumstances beyond their control, face untold problems. Most of the refugees are fleeing political, religious or ethnic persecution. Others are seeking refuge from civil wars, famines and natural disasters. There are no refugee camps in Egypt and therefore these displaced people have to fend for themselves in an unfamiliar and, at times, hostile culture. There is little support or assistance for them aside from what the churches can offer. One of the main problems that displaced people from Sudan face is that they are not legally recognised as refugees, as Egypt and Sudan have an open border. This means that they receive no benefits from the United Nations High Commissions for Refugees (UNHCR). The Refugee Ministry provides care whilst their claims are being considered.

The Saint Andrew's Refugee Ministry works closely with the All Saints' Cathedral in Cairo, which also supports these displaced Africans. Over 17,500 people are registered with the programmes at these churches.

The programmes of the Refugee Ministry use the resources of the refugee community and believe that programmes that enhance self-sufficiency can be more effective than direct assistance. By providing opportunities to enhance skills for employment, improving access to education for adults and children and facilitating community building, refugees are better able to make use of their own resources, and to be proactive in their search for a new home.

Current activities
St Andrew's Refugee Ministry offers assistance and aid to the refugees and displaced people that are registered with it through various programmes:

Children's Education: classes are offered to refugee children who are denied access to Egyptian schools and cannot afford private schools. Classes include English, Science, Maths, Information Technology and Sports lessons. There is also a library. There are about 120 students in the School, with a two-year waiting list. This programme also includes an Inter-School Summer Programme, where over 200 children are taught English, art, music, sports and drama, as well as being provided with nutritious food each day.
Adult Education: this programme teaches practical skills for future employment in an English-speaking environment, including classes in English, Business English, Drama, Creative Writing and Computer Literacy. These classes allow the participants access to better employment upon resettlement abroad, or upon return to their home countries. About 1,200 people participate in the Adult Education programme each year.
African Arts and Crafts: this programme employs the many skills the refugees bring with them, as well as allowing them to learn the concepts of a small business. There are handicraft classes in skills such as sewing, macramé and jewellery making. There is also the opportunity to join an art class. This programme provides participants with an opportunity to generate an additional income, as their work is sold at local bazaars throughout Cairo.
Woodwork: this is a two-year vocational programme that teaches refugees to be skilled carpenters. Participants are taught how to make and repair furniture, as well as other carpentry skills. Students are taught according to USA curriculum standards and the quality of the work produced is very high. Once the refugees have completed the beginners' class, they move on to the advanced level.

The programmes are also a vital part of enabling those fortunate enough to be resettled in other countries to learn about the country that is to become their new home.

Most of the classes are taught by refugees themselves. This participation is important for refugee self-reliance but it also bolsters the morale of the refugee community. In 1999, 86% of the professional and support staff were people from the refugee and displaced community.

Through these programmes, the Refugee Ministry not only provides the refugees and displaced people with education, skills and income but also with renewed self-confidence and friendships in a community of other people in a similar situation. Because of all this, and more, the Refugee Ministry describes itself as 'not simply a programme for refugees, but rather a community of people serving each other'.