UNICEF GERMANY TO FUND CENTRE FOR CAIRO STREET MOTHERS

Linsenhoff visit to Cairo, March 2004

Cairo, July 4, 2004: A new residential centre for young mothers and their children living on the streets of Cairo is to be established thanks to a grant from UNICEF Germany Goodwill Ambassador Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff. The grant follows a visit to Egypt in March by Ms Linsenhoff, who is one of Germany’s most accomplished dressage riders.

The new centre will be operated by Hope Village Society, and will provide up to 30 street mothers and pregnant girls between the ages of 12 and 18 -- as well as their children -- with shelter, healthcare, legal and educational services. Training in craft-making and other skills will also be made available, offering the young women the chance to earn a small income. A fund will be established to help the mothers to reintegrate into society.

"Young girls are the most vulnerable category of street children, frequently subjected to sexual abuse, exploitation and violence," said Nadra Zaki, UNICEF Child Protection Officer. "By supporting Hope Village Society to establish this centre, we aim to directly help some of these girls and their children to have a better life. We also hope that such a centre will raise awareness about the plight of these young women among policy makers and the public, and consequently help in devising prevention and protection policies”.

Cairo street mothers and their children

Young mothers are part of a street child population in Egypt which is estimated to number anywhere up to one million. A single daycare centre for street girls operated by Hope Village Society in Imbaba has registered around 25 young women with children. Officials at Hope Village say that because of their exposure to abuse and exploitation, the risk of street girls becoming pregnant is very high.

Established in 2002, the Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff – UNICEF Foundation already provides funding for three child protection projects in El Nahda, Ein Helwan and West Helwan, implemented by the Egyptian Red Crescent and the Integrated Care Society. The foundation also supports initiatives for the rehabilitation of children and adolescents in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mrs Linsenhoff was part of the German national team which won an Olympic gold medal at the 1998 Seoul Games and each of the three horses she rides in competition bears the name "UNICEF."

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For further information please contact:

Simon Ingram, UNICEF, Communication Officer / Cairo
Singram@unicef.org
Nagui Kodsi, UNICEF, Asst. Communication Officer/Cairo
Nkodsi@unicef.org

Tel: (202) 5265083-87 Ext 210 / 206/ 208
Fax: (202) 5264218