Friday 21 December 2012

Feasibility visit between KOPIN (Malta) and APE (Egypt)

In the beginning of December 2012, KOPIN (Koperazzjoni Internazzjonali – Malta) hosted Mrs Syada Alhamy Greiss, Chairperson of the Egyptian Association for the Protection of Environment (APE), for a three-day meeting during which the relative representatives discussed a potential partnership, shared ideas and opportunities for collaboration between the two NGOs.

The discussions held over these three days helped the organisations get to know each other better. It was clear that the mission and vision of both organisations deal with social and economic sustainable development. The two organisations have shown a great interest in establishing a strong and long-term partnership in support of the Zabbaleen community in Cairo.

APE works with the informal garbage collectors of Cairo known as the Zabbaleen (garbage collectors). The focus of this NGO is to enable women and children in this marginalized community to engage in education. Amongst the different programmes implemented by APE, an afternoon project gives children the opportunity to learn new skills in an informal way while also providing them with support in their formal educational formation. Women, too, are at the heart of the NGO. With the help of volunteers, APE has managed to equip a significant number of Zabbaleen women with weaving, recycling and craft skills. All the products are produced from collected waste materials.
KOPIN works in the field of development cooperation and its overall aim is to contribute actively to the alleviation of global poverty and social injustice. The NGO’s main areas of work deal with networking, advocacy, global education and development cooperation.

This event was made possible through the financial contribution of the European Commission through the Youth in Action Programme. Three young KOPIN volunteers, Annabelle Khalil, Maria Psaila and Gisele Correia, helped in the preparation and organisation of the visit.

For further information, contact William Grech, Executive Director at KOPIN: william.grech@kopin.org

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