This January, 70 disabled children received a new set of clothes and a pair of shoes. This will be the only clothes they receive for the entire year. Thank you for answering the call to mobilization to provide these essential gifts. You made a difference.
"The work with disabled children in Garbage City (Mokattam) started by visiting various families with disabled children. The parents would often deny that they would have anyone disabled inside their house," says Markus, the managing director of the ‘Center of Love.’
“We thought that a disabled child was a punishment from God because for our sinful lives. This is a traditional belief within our society," explained one mother, while holding her disabled child in her arms.
Because of the severe ignorance, poverty and illiteracy prevalent in Garbage City, the team had a very difficult time working in this community. When a disabled child or adult would walk down the street, the other children would run after them to harass, mock and stone them.
After one year of training volunteers, the Center of Love started the work with three families. Slowly but surely, signs of transformation became apparent in the community and more mothers started to bring their disabled children to the center without feeling any shame.
Today the Centre of Love serves 90 mentally and physically disabled persons, 20 deaf persons, and 200 people with chronic diseases. There are 22 full-time trained workers and volunteers from Garbage Village, and many unique opportunities for you to continue helping impacting lives and changing communities in North Africa.
Would you join us?