A message from Nigel Edward-Few, Director.

Wherever there is poverty and hardship, it is inevitable that the disabled, whether physically or mentally, will struggle the most. For those who are able-bodied, having a normal life, education and the opportunity to gain the skills required to chase the few jobs that may be available, is hard enough. For the disabled, it is often impossible. For the severely disabled – particularly those with mental disability – only further hardship, rejection, neglect and the prospect of a life hidden away in secret are likely.

In all three countries where Bible Lands has Partner Projects – Israel/Palestine, Lebanon and Egypt – the care and support of the disabled is therefore a very high priority and a major component of our work.

In Egypt , however, in particular of the three countries where we work and especially given the extreme poverty and collapsing economy, the disabled become marginalised still further.

Bible Lands and its Partner Projects, however, are determined, whatever the level of disability, to face the issue head on.

For those whose disability is extremely severe, Bible Lands and its Partners work holistically to give the best possible care and quality of life that can be achieved, regardless of the pressures and circumstances that prevail. On one side of the enclosed leaflet, you will find details of the Salaam Centre at Ezbet El Nakhl – one of the most dire, poorest and deprived urban environments in the world – just a few miles north of Cairo .

The children who are cared for here are amongst the most severely disabled of any that I have ever seen. When I visited the Centre at the end of last year, I came away with an abiding memory of the ‘saintly’ care, given by Sister Maria and her team, of these terribly handicapped children. As Director of Bible Lands , I have seen children in some desperate situations – poverty, disability, social deprivation and with major social problems and trauma. However, nothing had prepared me for this visit and, on this occasion particularly, my sense of helplessness was overwhelming and I have been left with an abiding memory that I am sure will never leave me.

The Vocational Training Centre of the Deaf Unit enables young adults to develop real skills to secure for themselves a better future.

For those whose disability is physical rather than mental, life is still invariably tougher than for those who are able-bodied.

To have to ‘compete’ in an environment of such poverty and extreme need, where even the able-bodied struggle, means having to show that you are not just as good, but better able and qualified than someone with no disability.

When we hear about those with mental and physical disability, it is all too easy to focus on what cannot be done, rather than what can. We tend to assume that it is only the able-bodied who can enjoy a better quality of life. Yet, so often, we underestimate the capabilities of disabled people, given the appropriate care, education and training.

The aim of this appeal is not only to ask for your support of those severely disabled, for whom care and loving support is the only option, but also to ask for your encouragement for those whose disability can be overcome to some degree, so that their potential can be fully realised, given the right opportunities.

The enclosed leaflet therefore not only outlines the work of some of our Project Partners in Egypt working with the severely disabled, but also those Centres where training and development of the physically disabled and the less mentally disabled is provided. Our hope is that these young people will also learn other skills so as to enjoy a better quality of life and, wherever possible, to build for themselves an independent future that will give them the dignity and fulfilment of life that they deserve.

Easter is a time of great hope for Christians, when we celebrate the joy of the risen Christ and the hope that this brings to every situation of suffering. Will you help to bring a real, tangible message of healing and hope to some of the most needy in Egypt by responding to this appeal?

Thank you in anticipation for your financial and prayerful support.

Yours sincerely in Christ

Nigel Edward-Few
Director