At this time of the year we remember that the Holy Family were refugees in Egypt, fleeing the threat of massacre. Today most of the refugees are fleeing the war in Sudan. A work that began in the All Saints cathedral crypt in Cairo in 2003, offering basic respite and health care to refugees, now dreams of the day when an integrated health care package can be offered in a dedicated building.
The project, a ministry of the Diocese of Egypt is carried out under the Refuge Egypt banner, which offers a variety of services to refugees including language classes, cv preparation, help with finding work, short term help with housing and other essentials of life that help the recipients to integrate into society.
It is responsible for a number of clinics, including an ecumenical project at the Orthodox Hospital, and satellite clinics in Nasr City, Maadi and still, at the cathedral, which is where I met the Director, Dr Eman. All have a positive relationship with the Ministry of Health.
Many of the refugees are women with children and there is a variety of provisions for them. Dr Eman was keen to stress that this is not just a first aid kind of help, but rather a ministry that aims to educate patients and equip them with both the practical and personal skills that will enable them to live a healthy life in Egypt.
Some arrive barefoot. The journey is long and perilous in many ways, especially for women. The clinic sees many people who are rape victims, including children who have been raped or had to witness their mother being raped, leaving them traumatised. So a typical clinic might include screening for, and treatment of HIV or other sexually transmitted infections, as well as psychological counselling, not only for trauma but other conditions such as post-natal depression. There are two psychologists who work with the project. In fact, this is the only HIV clinic for refugees in the whole of Egypt, and the only rape-survival clinic in Cairo.
Babies are measured, screened and monitored on an ongoing basis. TB is a problem that results from poverty and having to live in overcrowded conditions with poor sanitation. In such conditions immunity is low, Dr Eman explained. A special TB clinic has found that the disease is especially prevalent in the 15-17 age group. She mentions one patient as an example of what the clinic can achieve. A youth, he arrived in a makeshift wheelchair with a rare condition called Pott’s Disease, TB in the spine. Within three weeks he was walking normally.
The education function deals with issues around nutrition, breast feeding, sexual health and the dangers of FGM.
The staff hear harrowing stories and are themselves in need of care and respite – and the project is not only about the grim side of life. Occasionally they have a fun day, which they call a red nose day which includes singing and dancing and games. In conjunction with the Orthodox Church there is a scheme called smile-makers which provides play therapy for children and allows them to socialise in a place where they can laugh, learn and pray together in safety. Children are sent home with a small gift. All of this is church funded.
Dr Eman, herself an Orthodox Christian, is justly proud of what the Church offers refugees, as it recognises in them a common humanity. “It is God’s work,” she says.
A longer version of this article will appear in the next edition of Bible Lands magazine. You may donate here if you wish to support the work of the Diocese.