Report from BHW Egypt Partnership Facilitator

Context 

This partnership is particularly focused on vulnerable Christian families that are part of an unofficial network of churches and is initiated by Nasr City Evangelical Church. As you will see from the partnership write-up, there are two major components: firstly, the loan programme which is managed by a committee that assesses the viabilty and capacity of a person or family to run a small enterprise. If the answer is yes, then these people are trained, given a loan and mentored into a better economic situation. If the answer is no, they are referred to the Social Committee (the second component) which is also managed by a team that identifies and visits vulnerable families and gives grants to help them in their need, crisis or desperate situation. 

This report covers both aspects of the programme. 

They have written, "We thank God for your partnership with us in serving God during the last period of time. Because of your partnership we managed to support and serve more people with a wider scope and spectrum of needs."

The Impact of COVID-19

Loan Programme

The ministry had to stop at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic because of the closure of all jobs and businesses. Also, people were not allowed to congregate or visit and it became impossible to meet people and give them loans. However, gradually, as the situation settled and precautionary measures were taken, meeting became possible and loans began again. It was of huge benefit at this critical time.

One of the downsides that COVID has caused is that they have been unable to visit and follow up everyone who took out loans.

The pandemic has also led to an increase in the number of people in need of loans. It also led to the loan amount being increased as people were under more severe pressure.  

Social Committee

COVID-19 had a big impact on the delivery of services. They had to resort to using mobile phones to stay in touch with people, praying for them and looking after their needs. The number of the supported families has increased due to the slowing down of the economy because of the virus.

Personal Stories 

Loan Programme

MNI lives in Dar Al Salam. Her and her husband have twin sons. The father works in construction. One of their children was helping his father with the construction work but the family suffered a tragedy when this 15-year-old boy fell from the roof of a building which led to his death. After this accident, the father, mother and twin brother became depressed. The father stopped working which led to the family being exposed to a financial crisis. At that time, the pastor of the church affiliated with this family visited them frequently and prayed with them and offered condolences.

When M began recovering from the horror of what had happened, she applied for a loan. She took a loan of 10,000 pounds. She rented a small shop and bought some groceries to trade. It was a very successful project and saved her family from poverty.

PM lives in El Tabba. Peter is 25 years old and the eldest of his siblings. His family consists of 4 sisters in addition to his father and mother. His family is very poor, which has forced him to work in many jobs since he was 10 years old.

P's sisters have grown up and go to college. One of them is engaged and will marry soon. P had to work to pay for his sisters' college fees and to help his engaged sister in matters of her marriage. That is why he asked for a loan of 10,000 Pounds. He started repairing cell phones and selling spare parts. Today he rents a small shop where he conducts his business. He is very successful and now has became known in his area. 

Social Committee

Many people have been helped and continue to be so. This is such an important thing to be doing and many have been encouraged. Here are some examples: 

They supported N to finish her education. She dreamed of finishing her education at university like her sister. Their mother is a widow without enough income to support the two sisters. 

A woman was living with her sister without anyone to give them financial support. She needed an operation on the veins and arteries in her legs. She also needed to have x-ray checks and analysis before the operation. With the help of some local donors and these funds they managed to have the operation done. God completed the job and gave them all her needs. She has healed already and is in much better health now.

In the next week (late May 2021) they are funding an operation for a 4-year old child.

They are paying monthly rents for some old widows as well as providing long term medication for blood pressure and diabetic patients.

They are helping some very poor families and elderly couples for their food. This is still an ongoing issue and is increasing as the economy continues to stagnate.  

An addict boy whose father could not pay for his treatment is someone else they helped. He was put into a facility with a faithful doctor to help him get out of drugs and also so he would have the opportunity to know Jesus. 

Partnership's Influence within the Community

Loan Programme

This partnership is unique in that few churches are involved in the economic empowerment of their people. It is very productive and very important to help reach many people who have needs for financial and/or any kind of support. This year because of the COVID-19 crisis there is an increase in financial needs. Because of this the partnership made a big difference in the lives of underprivileged people at a time where jobs were very scarce.

Social Committee

They do not know of any other churches that have this type of programme. Most churches are very poor and cannot even think of helping those in desperate need. This is such an important programme. 

Ideas for the Future

Loan Programme

By God's grace they hope to reach new places in Cairo and in Upper Egypt that need this service.
They want to be able to increase the value of the loans so that the borrowers can grow and expand their projects.
They are planning to develop some business training courses to help borrowers expand and succeed in their projects.
They plan to give vocational training to some people who do not know what to do to earn their living by training them in things such as knitting, sewing, hairdressing, carpentry, photography, etc. This can be achieved by reaching an agreement with businessmen and factory owners who accept to train needy people.

Social Committee 

God has placed a new vision on all the hearts of the group. They want to support the homeless children in the streets. They are in a very bad shape in all aspects. They are researching and trying to quantify the kind of needs, the scope and costs. They will then make plans that need to be taken and the most appropriate actions they should take to help them out of their misery. The need is far beyond their means but they say, "God never ever failed us and we are sure that he will not fail or leave us this time as well, nothing is too much or too big for him. He can do everything and nothing is beyond his almighty capacity."

Current Issues and Challenges 

Loan Programme

The biggest challenge they face is that sometimes people come asking for a loan and the committee feels that they are not fit to work or set up a project. It is difficult to decline people if they are not suitable.  

The needs are always greater than the financial liquidity that they have. They have a long waiting list.

Social Committee 

The challenge they have is that the needs have grown dramatically and the desire to help is still very strong. They say, "but we have experienced many times that God never failed us, he is always fulfilling all the needs as they appear."

As a committee they are keeping their meetings going on by using Zoom. They are praying together and studying the different new cases as they arise.

Prayer and Praise Points 

Loan Programme

That God would give the committee a spirit of discernment and wisdom so they can reach those who really need this service.

That everyone who receives a loan would get to know the Lord and God will use this ministry to build them up spiritually and physically, and they would know that God is the good shepherd and the provider for their needs.

Social Committee 

They ask for constant prayer for them that God will help them to look after the needy with love and honesty so they can offer and present them Jesus' great love.

Comments 

These are such good people and it is a privilege to be able to support their vision and strategies. They are all volunteers and it costs them a great deal to deliver care and development to people. This is a shining example of a church being the hands and feet of Jesus in their community. 

This is a wonderful partnership.