Celebrating Hope in a transformed community; The center is barely recognizable ...

Written by Barbara Palmer, retired teacher from England who is visiting for a month.

Is it really a mere 15 months since my last visit to the Centre of Hope?

So much has changed that it is barely recognizable and yet there is still a deep commitment to bring hope to some of the Sudanese refugee families living in Cairo.

Barbara teaching Maths in English to Grade 1

So what strikes me in the new building:

• 4 classrooms, each with a window, whiteboard and fan

• tiles on the floor, so it is clean.

• Each child has a desk

• A photocopier, water cooler, cupboard for resources and air conditioner.

• the toilet is clean,

• the walls have interesting designs,

• exercise books and course books for each child

• a school uniform.

A student focusing on her work in the English class

My first task as English teacher was to find out what the children know and it was immediately clear that lots of learning is going on. The four teachers are doing a great job.

Every day a healthy meal is served to each child; in addition to improving their health the food is dramatically impacting their ability to learn. 

For some of the children this may be their only meal each day.

Children savoring a mid morning meal

A new place for worship

In addition to children’s school, a class has been established to help the children’s mothers and other women to learn English and Arabic illiteracy classes.

A church has also been planted in the school which many children attend with their families, where 120 Sudanese people gather to worship.

Whilst waiting for my ride home I was advised not to stray far from the school, “It’s safer here!” The presence of Jesus is impacting the whole community. 

Children brushing their teeth after the meal

But the pleasant surroundings, availability of resources and tasty food pale into insignificance as my eyes engage with each child and each woman. Almost every one is now able to meet my gaze.

There is a deep sense of peace in the school, where practical love is allowing these children and their families to dare to believe God’s promise of hope and a future.