Egypt Programs and Projects

Education

Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo

The Evangelical Theological Seminary was founded in 1863 by members of the American Mission in Egypt. The American Mission was undertaken by the United Presbyterian Church of North America (UPNA), now the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Seminary's first location was Asyut; the Seminary was established in its present location in Cairo in 1926. The Seminary has over 180 students, most of whom are Egyptians but many other nationalities are represented. A sizeable group of students comes from Sudan to prepare for pastoral ministry or for teaching religion in secondary schools. The student body represents many denominations. The Seminary is preparing to offer two new degrees in the near future: a master’s in Theology and a Diploma of Higher Studies in Theology. Presbyterian support helps this seminary provide faculty development; scholarships, especially for students from Sudan and Iraq; a lay training academy, with special emphasis on women's leadership and church officer development; and library development.

The Evangelical Schools of the Synod of the Nile

The American Mission of the United Presbyterian Church started work in Egypt in Assiut in 1854. The first school was a boys' school started soon after the founding of the Mission. The first aims/objectives of the schools were to offer a high-quality education within a Christian environment of love and caring. These aims/objectives have not changed in the last 150 years. In the 1960s the management of the schools was transferred from The American Mission to the Synod of the Nile, which had become an independent Egyptian organization. There are 18 schools from Luxor in the south to Monsura in the Delta (north). In Cairo there are also an Institute for Secretarial Studies and a school of Special Education on the same grounds as Ramses College for Girls. Of the 18 academic schools, 8 are language schools, which teach high-level English and teach science and math in English. The other 10 schools, referred to as "Arabic Track," vary in the final grade level of education offered.

Evangelism

Assistance to Developing Churches

The Evangelical Church in Egypt is seeking to expand into new cities the government is building throughout the country. The government will give land to the church if it will build on the land.

Health

Cairo Evangelical Medical Center

Cairo Evangelical Medical Center is a 43-bed medical center, providing curative and preventive medical services to the clergy and members of the churches in Egypt as well as the Egyptian community regardless of race or religion. Owned by the Synod of the Nile , the Center is located on the “Ezbakeya site,” a very densely populated residential area in the center of Cairo . It serves a population of 1.5 million people. Increasing the accessibility of Christ-centered medical care that is high-quality and yet low -cost remains a constant goal of the Center. At present care is given free of charge if necessary.

Care with Love: Training Program for Home Health Care Providers

Care With Love is a training program for home health-care providers. It is now becoming an NGO for training and employment of all kinds of caregivers. Together with the Friends of the Children with Cancer (FCC), a halfway house for children with cancer will be established on a farm outside Cairo (away from the pollution). Here children from underprivileged families will be taken care of in between treatments to boost their nutrition while providing respite for their mothers and other siblings. The mothers will be educated about proper nutrition and hygiene and will participate in income-generating projects during their stay.  

Center for Geriatric Services, Cairo

Egypt 's population is rapidly growing, affecting its economic and social life. The socioeconomic situation is causing steady migration from rural to urban areas, adding to the already existing housing problems. The multi-generational households traditionally known to Egypt are decreasing, leaving an increasing number of aged people living alone. Geared to traditional family life in Egypt , the Center for Geriatric Services works to augment and support families to provide needed care for the elderly. The Center seeks to enhance the spiritual, physical, and mental well-being of its clients and to promote a healthy outlook concerning old age.

Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS)

The Community Health Unit of CEOSS (see Self-Development, below) implements a variety of preventative health programs and curative medical activities, at the request of participating communities, that target the priority health needs and education of poor rural and urban populations, especially women and children.

Tanta Hospital

Hunger

In 2006 the Presbyterian Hunger Program made the following grant:

Self-Development

Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS)

CEOSS seeks to nurture moral and spiritual awareness, enhance a sense of belonging, promote respect for diversity, combat injustice, address conflict, and advance social justice for individuals and communities. As part of this mission, by providing the necessary mechanisms and stimuli, CEOSS' Development Sector works to raise awareness in the grass-roots communities of both their problems and their resources, and motivate them toward self-reliant action in the direction of development and progress.