Caritas Alexandria supports early childhood development through the projects “Strong Family Healthy Children” and “Psychosocial Care for Refugee Children and Youth”. Below we describe the second project.

Counselling child victims of war trauma and stressed parents

Young children are particularly vulnerable to psychological trauma. Displacement due to armed conflict and persecution puts them under enormous psychological stress. On top of that, parents state that they become more violent against their children, as a result of depression and traumas. They become angry and frustrated because they cannot offer basic survival needs for their families. This leads to depression and increases violence towards children.

The Preschool Child Development and Protection department at Caritas provides early childhood care and development for very young traumatized children and their families.

Goal

We aim to offer the highest quality of care for very young children. We nurture the “whole child” in physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. We promote effective child growth from early ages to adulthood, parallel to enhancing optimal development of their families.

Our goal is to build a society together that appreciates children rights. A society in which learning and growth are intertwined. We aim to build the foundation for a healthy generation, in which children become effective decision makers, who are able to work, fulfill and achieve their goals efficiently. To contribute to positive change in their families and the surrounding community.

Our approach

We believe that children should be encouraged to be independent thinkers and life-long learners. Each child needs the opportunity to explore and develop its own talents and learn how to live, communicate and dream. Our role is to encourage and support each child in all areas of development, thus creating a positive self-image and realistic opportunities for success.

Activities

• Construction of an institutional capacity for 10 children welfare centers in slums and rural areas
• Empowerment of the seven child’s welfare centers
• Establishing 10 child-friendly spaces providing psychosocial support for refugee and Egyptian children and their families
• Training of service providers and nursery teachers on specialized and advanced child-oriented curriculums
• Developmental activities that recognize and address the individual needs of very young children
• Basic education to prepare children to start school at the prescribed age with appropriate competencies
• Awareness raising programmes for infants and their parents; topics include positive parenting, violence against children, early childhood, vocational training, nutrition, prenatal and care.

Facts & figures

Beneficiaries

• Main target group: Boys and girls from 4-6
• Brothers and sisters
• Parents (mothers and fathers)
• Grandparents
• Surrounding community

Where: Alexandria, with the main focus on rural and slum areas

 Period 

• Phase 1: April 2016 – March 2017
• Phase 2: April 2017 – February 2018

Sponsor: Caritas Germany

Results

• Empowered 1,000 children (60% Syrian refugees, 40% other nationalities including Egyptians) to participate in social life and enhance their co-existence in the host community
• A reduced consequence of violence and trauma and provided access to non-specialized services
• Merged Syrian community in the host community and contributed to their sense of belonging

Contact

Ms. Mareez Amin
Project manager
E: mareez.amin@caritasalex.org
M: 01227606745