Background
Since 1984, Sudanese refugees have been settling in Cairo. From 1990 to 2005, the number of refugees arriving in Cairo increased significantly. In 2018, UNHCR had about 12.500 South Soudaneses registered as refugees. The UNHCR figures do not include over 10,000 migrants from Sudan and South Sudan who did not qualify for the refugee status but who are equally vulnerable. About 60% of them are young people under 25.
Refugees are unable to access subsistence, work, state education and national health care on the same basis as nationals because of Egypt’s reservations to the 1951 Convention Related to the Status of Refugees. As a result of these constraints, a number of churches in Cairo opened learning centres to provide primary, secondary and skills training for refugee children and youth. Sacred Heart Church is the biggest educational/training service provider to the refugee children and youth in Cairo.
As for the Sudanese refugee women, their official status as refugees is highly disputed, and they have been subject to racial discrimination and police violence. They are the weak ring of a long chain: they are victims of violence in society and at home. Many of them live in a condition of illiteracy and without any kind of education; they do not have a clear awareness of their rights
Activities
Schooling for Sudanese children
Results
Through education and training,
- Sudanese refugee children acquired psychological, spiritual and social stability and security
- It limited Sudanese refugee children from the danger of being on the streets in a city where they may be prey to drugs, racial taunting and physical and sexual abuse.
- It raised refugees children self-esteem
- Sudanese refugee children increased their knowledge and skills to aid their future integration into the job market.
