As part of CEOSS’s participation in the “Shoulder to Shoulder” initiative under the National Alliance for Civil and Development Work, the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services has decided to implement a number of specific activities through a work plan that is tailored to the urgent needs of the holy month of Ramadan, in addition to the ongoing work plan of the organization throughout the year and the regular activities and programs it carries out. These activities will be based on revised databases to prevent duplication of services and ensure that they reach the largest possible number of eligible citizens.
Dr. Rev. Andrea Zaki, head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt and CEOSS, said: “The world is going through crushing economic conditions that affect the Egyptian society. Believing in our national developmental role and social responsibilities, we seek to intervene to support the first categories of care across the republic’s governorates, through planning and working under the umbrella of the National Alliance for Civil Work, which plays a great role in coordinating efforts between civil work institutions in Egypt. These efforts come in light of the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who always seeks to launch initiatives that aim to bridge the gaps caused by the global economic impact on these categories to ensure the necessary social protection for Egyptians.”
CEOSS President added: “We pray that God will grant us success, each in his position, role, and effort, to overcome the repercussions of this crisis that the world is going through. If we stand together shoulder to shoulder, confident that God will lead us to new horizons and solid ground, and Egypt will always live with the unity and the efforts of its Egyptian sons and daughters.”
Margaret Saroufim, CEOSS’s Head of Local Development Sector, explained: “We are pleased to be a member of the National Alliance for Civil and Developmental Work, and to fully cooperate with our colleagues from partner associations and institutions in the Alliance to achieve the goals of the ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ initiative. We announce the outlines of the participation of the Evangelical Coptic Organization for Social Services in the initiative, which aims to work in 12 governorates, reach nearly 150,000 of our most deserving citizens, with services varying, including urgent activities and interventions during the month of Ramadan. These include distributing dry food boxes with the help of 2,000 volunteers and in cooperation with 500 grassroots associations for packing and distribution. Additionally, thousands of hot meals will be provided for the “Plant Initiative” farmers in the governorates where the initiative is being implemented. There will also be feeding tables for the cleanliness workers in collaboration with the Cairo Cleaning Authority, and the implementation of “village tables” in collaboration with the efforts of women and young people from some villages in Upper Egypt to make Ramadan breakfasts mixed with cultural nights in collaboration with the cultural palaces.”
Saroufim added: “Festivals for children and distributing clothes for them during all holidays in April are scheduled, as well as providing hundreds of wheelchairs for people with disabilities. Medical convoys for eye examinations, distributing glasses and medicines, and performing hundreds of eye surgeries for patients are also planned. Medical convoys for random and cumulative sugar analysis, colored and sectional rays for hundreds of beneficiaries will be provided. Additionally, the organization will continue to complete the activities of the Plant Initiative, as the second phase of the initiative will begin from April to September 2023, which will work with 30,000 small farmers to plant 45,000 acres of soybean crops, provide support in seeds and fertilizers, with technical support and field schools.”
