“…seek
justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead
the widow's cause.”
- Isaiah 1:17, ESV
Our
flagship program Not Alone, gives a child back the protection,
provision, and confidence that he or she lost after a father’s
death or abandonment.
Not
Alone children gain the resources to break the cycle of poverty
and the courage to become change-makers in their communities: all according
to each individual child’s need.
We
address both immediate and long-term needs so that Not Alone children develop academically, socially, and emotionally for success.
They become literate and develop skills that help them achieve in school.
Then, they develop their God-given talents so that they can not only
overcome their own circumstances, but transform future generations.
The hands and feet
of Coptic Orphans in Egypt is a network of ~ 300 volunteer representatives
(“Reps”) who are nominated by their local Orthodox Bishops to work with
~ 6500 fatherless families in some of the most impoverished communities
from urban slums of Cairo to remote rural villages. Each Rep has a relationship
with 15-25 children in the program, and serves each child by:
• Regularly
visiting the child in his or her home to assess and provide for basic
needs and address underlying problems rooted in the home life of the
child.
• Connecting
the child and his or her mother and siblings to assistance in areas
such as academic tutoring and mentoring for special talents or needs.
• Educating
and advocating for families to access civil rights such as birth certificates,
government widows’ pensions, land rights and government I.D.s.
• Gathering
children, their mothers and peers in specialised workshops that build
skills in literacy, leadership, computer training, household finance,
relationships, cultural appreciation, job readiness, and income-generation,
as well as covering critical topics in effective parenting, disease
prevention and female genital mutilation.
Meet
A Few Coptic Orphans Reps. Through our Reps, children enjoy:
Regular
home visits, during which a Rep provides encouragement and mentorship
while assessing individual child and family needs such as literacy, adequate
housing, health, nutrition, or community advocacy;
Enrichment Trips that open a child’s vision and draw out their
curiosity;
Workshops that encourage life skills like reading, goal setting, and
critical thinking.
Consistent
with empowering a child, we respect each child’s privacy
and dignity at every step of the child’s participation with
us.
The
Proven Success of Not Alone
Over 11,000 children now have the security of food,
education, and shelter
Over 7,000 children have now reached age-appropriate
literacy.
Over 97% of Not Alone children have graduated to
the next grade, in a nation where nearly 10% drop out every year.
A
13-minute DVD about the program is available for a small shipping fee.
Coptic Orphans can also come to your class, organization, or church
to give a presentation on this program. Please contact
us for more information.
