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In October representatives from the Presbytery of Des Moines
visited. The Presbytery of Des Moines is linked with Egypt through
Joining Hands Against Hunger, a pilot project of the PC(USA) Hunger
Program. I was able to join them for a visit to Telal Zeinhom,
one of the squatter communities in Cairo where CEOSS works. I
first visited Telal Zeinhom shortly after my arrival in 1998.
I still recall the impact of seeing the muddy garbage-strewn streets
and the unbelievably crowded housing. At the same time, I remember
the positive rapport between the CEOSS field workers and the community
residents¾the good spirit of people growing in hope and
joy as they worked together to make a better life. In October,
we went to a section I had not previously visited. We were introduced
to the staff of a small community development association that
works on education, health, and economic development. Then the
group went for a walk into the community, between a couple of
buildings, and out into a huge rubble strewn field. After walking
for a minute or two, the CEOSS field worker pointed to an empty
spot and where the CEOSS field office used to be. It was then,
stunned, that I realized that the government, considering the
area a blight, had moved the people out from the Telal Zeinhom
I had previously visited and razed the whole area. I can only
trust that somehow God will use the suffering and love built between
CEOSS staff and community residents to transform another part
of His world.
This past month I have been writing the Mosaic, the biannual
CEOSS newsletter sent to CEOSS partners and friends in Europe
and the United States. Staff in the various CEOSS sectors provide
information about significant work, then I research the details,
write everything up in English, and format the newsletter. This
was a good way to catch up on the highlights of CEOSS work over
the past year.
I particularly noticed a photograph and article about the 10-year
anniversary celebration in Deir El Barsha, a rural village in
upper Egypt. Deir El Barsha became famous in community development
circles in 1999 as the result of a study about it published by
the Cairo Institute for Human Rights. The study documented how,
in 1991, the communal leaders signed an agreement with midwives
and hygienic barbers that they would never again practice female
genital mutilation (FGM). This agreement was the culmination of
nearly a decade of work there by CEOSS promoting the role of women
in development work and a change of attitude toward this destructive
yet universally accepted practice. The agreement was spearheaded
by the local women's committee. That an entire village would cease
FGM was unprecedented.
The 1995 Egyptian Demographic and Health Survey indicated that
97% of Egyptian females between 15 and 49 years of age were circumcised
and that 82% of the women supported perpetuating the practice
and intended to circumcise their daughters. FGM is generally preformed
on prepubescent girls without anesthesia and under unsanitary
conditions. Frequently there are grave physical and psychological
effects.
The five ladies in black in the picture, all Christians, were
instrumental in the campaign to end FGM. I find the picture very
moving. I think it is the contrast between the revolutionary change
in the village and the oh-so traditional-looking women. Isn't
it amazing what love and truth can inspire people to accomplish?
Praise God.
The Advent season is here. I am enjoying the PC(USA) advent calendar.
I think it is the expectation of the Advent of positive change
through love that is my fascination with CEOSS and the work it
does. Now we have an opportunity to remember and await the prototypical
advent.
May God bless you richly in this season. With many thanks for
your prayers,
Nancy and Charles
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page
143
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