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A letter from Emily Schornstein in
Egypt |
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August 2002
Dear Friends and Family,
It was a year ago this month that we said our goodbyes, and I
went off for a new venture, that of a Christian witness in a Muslim
country—Egypt. It has been a good year in that there were
no family crises in America over which I needed to be concerned.
And my health, after the cancer surgery and chemotherapy before
I left, has been excellent.
There were crises though. I had just finished orientation to
Egypt and had spent only a week at my job when the tragedy of
September 11 struck. Suddenly, we had to re-evaluate our presence
and safety, an evacuation plan had to be readied, and we learned
to be cautious when we went outside our work area.
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Mr. Boshra and Eman |
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We soon realized the Egyptians were
our friends and wanted us to be safe as much as we wanted to be
safe. Many have siblings or offspring in America, and they were
concerned about them. But before our lives were back to normal,
America had a war in Afghanistan, and even now there is talk of
another war in the Middle East. There is always America’s support
of Israel. All of these are very controversial here. |
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These events cannot be ignored, or even put on the "back
burner." They are constantly in the foreground here. We stand
for America and feel accountable whether we agree with all the
decisions or not. So whatever else we are doing, this is part
of our daily life. But our work and witness must also go on.
Young people in Egypt do not always get to choose their course
of study in the university. That decision is made in large part
on their examination grades. Because there are no grade standards
to get into nursing, the profession is noted for its low status.
Nursing care has a very poor reputation. Medical facilities like
to have foreign nurses to raise their status. This is an opportunity
for Christians to be in a place where they can express Christ’s
love through their work. Our presence as well as our work make
a difference in how the staff work.
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The Presbyterian Church used to have
nursing schools, but when the government imposed more regulations
several years ago, these schools were closed. The nurse at the Cairo
Geriatric Center, where I work, was trained at one of these schools.
She, in turn, trains the new girls who come to work as caregivers
at our center. The content of her teaching is based on a course
developed by a PC(USA) mission co-worker, Dr. Magda Iskander. Magda
developed the "Care with Love" program because there is
no organized training for nursing assistants in Egypt. These young
people are trained in basic nursing care, relating to persons they
care for, nutrition, grooming, personal hygiene, ethics, values,
work habits, being trustworthy, etc. |
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The Cairo Geriatric Center |
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Eman has been at the Geriatric Center
for nine years. She learned her skills from Magda, whose program
originated at the Center. She received additional training from
a Scottish nurse who worked here for six years. She can now do many
things a nurse would do in the States. This is very necessary, as
she is in charge when our nurse is not here. Eman is the middle
of five children in a Coptic Orthodox family in Upper Egypt. She,
along with about half the staff, lives in the Center, so she is
on call at all times. She shares a room the size of a resident room
with four other girls. She is very eager to learn, and is currently
attending a university and studying commerce. When she graduates,
she plans to continue working here, possibly taking on even more
responsibility. I enjoy seeing her at work, as her skills are good,
and her love for the residents, and her God, are so evident in what
she does and says.
Mr. Boshra is one of our most independent residents. He has been
here for nine years, coming because he was lonely and depressed
after his wife died. He has a son in the U.S. and three other
married children here in Cairo with whom he spends his Sundays.
He was an engineer, and it is important for him to feel useful
even now. He has taught some girls to read and write, others he
tutors as they take courses to finish school, and he encourages
Eman and Amil (the other caregiver who has entered the university).
He gives me daily Arabic lessons, which is a big help in preparing
for my professional teacher each week. It was he who taught me
the alphabet and how to write in Arabic. I enjoy conversations
with him, as he is versed in many subjects, especially his Christian
beliefs, which he shares when I ask him.
Both of these people have received a blessing from the Cairo
Geriatric Center, and are a blessing to others.
Thanks to all of you who pray for me regularly. Please pray for
our Christian witness in Egypt, and for our American leaders as
they make daily decisions that effect the whole world.
God’s blessings on your lives,
Emily Schornstein
The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 128
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