The Diocese of Egypt stretches across a vast area in North Africa and covers the countries of Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia, as well as Egypt itself.
The diocese is led by Bishop Mouneer Anis who sees the role of the Church as profoundly missional and is working to help local Christians become effective disciples and witnesses for Christ.
The Church is looking to move from “maintenance to mission” and its four main goals are:
1. To reach the unreached for Christ
2. To apply a holistic approach in mission
3. To be a bridging church with other churches and faith groups
4. To equip both clergy and laity for mission, ministry and leadership
The sheer size of the Diocese means that opportunities for mission and ministry are enormous. At present the primary expression of CMS Ireland’s partnership is through Refuge Egypt in Cairo – however we are also exploring the possibility of work in the wider region.
The Programmes:
Refuge Egypt has been serving African asylum seekers in Egypt for almost 20 years. It seeks to address the problems faced by, mainly Sudanese, refugees who are not supported by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
These groups are considered the most deprived and vulnerable in the community of African refugees in Cairo. They face huge financial burdens, are unable to access affordable medical care or nutritionally balanced food, and have no adequate access to education, vocational training and social amenities for their children and young people. With very few ever leaving the country, for resettlement, a majority accept an adult life without hope, filled with apathy and helplessness.
Refuge Egypt was originally started in 1987, by the English speaking congregation at the Anglican All Saints’ Cathedral in Cairo, in an attempt to help these African asylum seekers survive. The ministry has grown over the years through the interaction of the local Church with the African refugees, their pastors, and community leaders.
Refuge Egypt currently operates a number of programmes offering: humanitarian aid – emergency food and clothing distribution; healthcare; and spiritual guidance and encouragement to the refugee community in and around Cairo. Refuge Egypt works in close collaboration with the UNHCR as well as a number of NGOs institutions and government departments.
An estimated 21% of Refuge Egypt’s beneficiaries are Muslim, while 79% are from nominal Christian or animist backgrounds, most of whom haven’t heard the Gospel yet and are still struggling spiritually and psychologically. Many of them been permanently scarred by the trauma of war and displacement and are struggling to come to terms with the loss of family, property and their personal dignity.
Ain Shams Community Development Centre was the focus of CMS Ireland’s Annual Project in 2007. The centre is located in a block of flats in two small apartments, one used for the development centre and the other a community nursery school. The centre runs a very active small Medical Clinic with more than 3,500 female registered patients. The Centre’s social programmes cover a wide scope including: Adult Literacy; Health Education; Vocational Training focusing on handicrafts leading to a possibility of benefiting from the Micro Finance Loan programme.
The centre’s Nursery School offers basic education in Arabic and English to equip the children to cope in entering state schooling. There are three classrooms for children from two to six years of age, and a small playground.
Sadat City Health Centre is located in Sadat City, one of Cairo’s 5 satellite city’s. CMS Ireland was invited by the Egyptian Government to help set up and support the development of a Community Hospital in the impoverished Sadat City.
Port Said, on the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of the famous Suez Canal is another very needy area of Egypt. CMS Ireland has also been supporting various programmes here including, computers, school pupil and uniform support and family income support.
