Helping settlers to shape new communities in former desert

Since 2002 Caritas has set up nine Community Development Associations (CDAs) in West Nubareya and developed their administrative, managerial and technical skills. Special attention has been given to the developmental role of women by establishing a Women Development Club (WDC) at each site to empower them, as well as adopting an advocacy strategy for various developmental issues.

The sector of community development at Caritas Egypt was established in 1992, initially to promote and facilitate the settlement of university graduates in the newly recreated lands in the desert. Based on local needs, the project expanded its umbrella and adopted a developmental approach by including traditional migrant farmers from the Delta region affected by the Owner & Tenant Law.

“Development is not a gift, it is a human right.”

Facts & figures

Beneficiaries:

1. Residents of those communities, especially marginalized groups (women & children) and those lacking basic needs (medical, economic, social)
2. Small-scale farmers
3. Women, as they play a vital role in the development and stability of the family in desert areas
4. Graduates of universities and institutes who received uncultivated land
5. Children, as they represent the future of these communities
6. Those affected by the Owner & Tenant Law
7. Early retired personnel due to the privatization of some agricultural cooperation
8. Community development associations, women development clubs, youth centers and the interior institutions operating within the desert communities.

Location: West Nubareya zone in Bahira governorate (80 km west of Alexandria governorate)

Local partners

9 CDAs in the project targeted villages in West Nubareya Zone: Abou Baker, El Adel, SaadZaghloul, AbouElAtta, Ahmed Shawky, AbouElNour village, TahaHussen, ElSabeaa Hassan Allam, 13 BazourElsabeaa Sbahey

Activities:

• 44 capacity building training days for 20 new CDA Executive office Members (EoMs), attended by 30 volunteers,14 ladies first aid team,12 Traditional Birth Attendance (TBAs), 38 kindergarten instructors and 12 anti-fire teams
• The project reached out to the targeted population at village level through:
  • 28 events organized by 9 CDAs / WDCs
  • 24 monthly community seminars (623 participants)
  • 18 vet convoys (3,256 participants)
  • Six healthy environment campaigns (2,558 beneficiaries)
  • Five youth sport days (432 adolescents)
  • Celebration national days (5 days – 267 women and children)
  • One health convoy (1,130 beneficiaries)
  • Vocational training for unemployed youth (11 adolescents)
  • 16 nutrition sessions (418 women)
  • Financial support (198 small scale female traders)

Results

• Establishment and capacitating of nine CDAs and WDCs; they now possess the knowledge and skills to take the lead and are in position to intervene effectively in their villages, based on community needs
• Much more prominent development role of women
• Networking between nine CDAs in Nubareya region
• Senior CDAs in four villages are now acting as mentors and leaders for the newly established CDAs for guidance and support
• Partnership and liaison between the civil society CDAs, the local authorities and Caritas
• Community members have demonstrated their readiness for change, and adoption of much more healthy behaviors.

More info

Contact: Eng. Adel Fahmy
Community development project manager
E: adel.fahmy@caritasalex.org
T: (03) 4806 306/7
M: (+20)1200023128