Print
this page
Email
this page Newsletters - Families & Health
Egypt - A holistic approach
For us (The Episcopal diocese of Egypt) Jesus is considered the first pioneer in using the holistic approach in reaching out for the community and developing it. He touched people's needs in every way and as we are His servants we are called to do the same. For this purpose, the diocese has committed itself to invest in human resources and use a holistic approach in community development.
For any country in the world that aims at developing its community, human resources is the key word for money investment. To ensure a better future, both health and education sectors have to occupy the first priority in planning and improvement.
One of the important aspects of real development is health, and for that reason, we have taken initiatives in many poor areas to start health-awareness programmes especially for women and young girls. We serve in areas like Ain Shams, Medinet el Salam, El Nahdah and Sadaat city.
The most common feature in the areas we reach out to is poverty. The population is characterised with biodiversity where some emigrated from Upper Egypt in an attempt to find better jobs and places to improve their livelihood. Others suffered from living in old buildings that were demolished or collapsed and the Government resettled them in cities like Medinet el Salam or El Nahdah. People are poor in terms of minds and hearts as well as in relation to money.
Therefore, in designing awareness programmes for these areas, healthrelated issues are raised to rectify the wrong inherited beliefs in addition to providing new information about feminine topics (issues related to circumcision of girls, family planning, personal hygiene, and menstrual cycle etc). The information is usually presented in a form of brainstorming discussion, in addition to illustrative materials. The social workers' role is to get the wrong information out from their group; exchange opinions, then present the rectified information to them.
In some areas, there is a gynaecological clinic along with the awareness programme, where the doctor acts as a social worker as well in providing the right information to his patients. We believe that we care, but Jesus heals and transforms lives.
Top
