Egypt, a beautiful country that boasts of spectacular scenery, ancient buildings and cultural gems. As Tourists, Travellers & General members of society, we embrace the exotic sun sea and sand found in Egypt. From boat cruises on the River Nile with views of camels in the dessert and Egyptian men and women ploughing through their fields and tending to their families. We can explore the treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb and his golden death mask in the depth of Cairo’s historical museums and amongst other adventures we can spend our holiday money on extravagant souvenirs found decorating one of the biggest bazaars in the Middle East, the Khan Al Khalili market.
For us, Egypt seems like a dreamy holiday, miles away from our British weather and battered fish and chips however, there is a darker side found as there is with many other countries. The streets of Egypt are currently home to around 1.7 million orphaned children. Since the late 2000’s the number of orphans wandering the streets has increased especially in Cairo and Alexandria. Vulnerable children from under the age of 18 are left to fend for themselves.
Along with poverty, reports found in the UNHCR show a large number of orphans are subject to sexual and psychological abuse by adults, many of these children flee from their families, especially young girls.
Since beyond the 1990’s girls in Egypt have been victim to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Albeit, the genital cutting of girls had been banned in 2008 and criminalized in 2016. A survey by the U.N. Children’s Fund had proven that 87 percent of women and girls aged from 15 in Egypt have undergone the procedure by 2016. Although a change in attitudes concerning the practice can be observed, FGM is often viewed as means of chastity and remains common in vast parts of the country. The fear and trauma caused by FGM led to many young girls fleeing from their families and living on the streets.

To survive, orphan’s resort to begging and petty theft particularly around tourist attractions, turning dreamy holidays into nightmares. However, their behaviour is inevitable as this is a means of survival.
As there are millions of orphans in Egypt, there are various unfair means of survival including Child Labour. Currently in 2019, Child Labour is very common in Egypt due to its economic stability. Many businesses thrive of children working as the cost is small and the profit is commendable.
For example, orphans work harvesting cotton for souvenirs and clothing, along with the job comes dangerous environments, no personal protection equipment, very little pay and extremely long hours in 40 degrees Heat.
Humanity Gives believes in every child matter’s and thus, we are doing our part in protecting orphans. Our orphanage in Cairo provides shelter to 100 vulnerable orphans. We offer a safe living environment and have given our orphans the chance to education and healthy nourishing food, without the worry of physical, emotional mental and sexual abuse.
Following our ethos, we aspire to provide more sustenance, and this can only be done with your support! Just like the way we have together improved child welfare in Morocco, the UK we intend to do the same in Egypt!