Egypt: New hope through a chance at education

Preparations for the Easter celebrations were in full swing in the spring in the town of Assiut on the Nile, some 380 kilometres south of Cairo. “As we do every year, we are preparing gifts for children and food parcels for the poor,” said CiN project partner Pastor Emad at the time.

Fear of attacks during the Easter period

Here in the Valley of the Christians, with its historic monasteries and pilgrimage sites, the atmosphere is currently tense. This is due to the war in the Middle East. In addition to the everyday discrimination Christians already face, new resentment against them has been stoked since the war began. “Copts are now being accused, without any basis, of conspiring with the US against Muslims,” says Pastor Emad. In the past, for example in 2023, attacks took place during the Easter and Christmas seasons of all times.

Eman-Romane learnt to read at the age of 16

Nevertheless, life must go on, and Easter in particular symbolises new beginnings and faith in a future that is better for everyone. Proof that this is possible is provided by the young Protestant Eman-Romane M. (16, see cover photo). The 16-year-old grew up with her brother in an orphanage where there was a lack of funds for the children’s education. Now, at the age of 16, she is blossoming and, thanks to our donors, is catching up on reading and writing in literacy classes. Pastor Emad describes Eman-Romane as “very motivated”. The same applies to her fellow students.

New perspectives

CiN launched the literacy project with Pastor Emad in 2024. There are currently 100 women on the course. Experience shows that it takes at least a year for a participant to learn to read and write. The duration depends on each woman’s age and individual needs. The aim is for everyone to cope better with everyday life through literacy and to pass on this knowledge to their children and grandchildren. According to figures from the local health centre, there are currently 6,000 Christian women living in the city of Assiut who lack basic literacy skills and are in need of support. In any case, it is primarily women who are affected. In 2022, according to UNESCO, 60.5% of all illiterate adults in Egypt were women.

Enabling reading and writing together

For this reason, we are asking for donations to help continue and expand this important project, which aims to open up new horizons for our sisters in faith. In addition to new teachers, we also need course materials and tables. Pastor Emad is providing the premises.
The project has a lasting impact not only on the women themselves, but on the entire Christian community in Egypt. Every woman who can read and write becomes a role model for others. In this way, the cycle of poor literacy skills – which often continues across generations – can be broken.