CAIRO STREET CHILDREN PROJECT EARNS PRAISE FROM HEAD OF UNICEF AUSTRALIA

Diana Hill talks to some of the girls and mothers visiting the centre about their experiences on the streets of Cairo.

Cairo, May 4, 2005: An NGO helping children living rough on the streets of Cairo has been commended for its work by Mrs Diana Hill, President of the Australian National Committee for
UNICEF.

Mrs Hill was speaking at the Imbaba shelter for street girls run by Hope Village Society during a visit to the Egyptian capital last week.

"I've seen street children projects in Australia and many other countries in the course of my work for UNICEF," said Mrs Hill. "What I find really exemplary is that you listen to the children and learn from them before devising different ways to help them."

Earlier, Mrs Hill and UNICEF Egypt Representative Erma Manoncourt were briefed by Hope Village Society director, Dr Abla el Badry, about the work of the reception centres and shelters operated by the NGO in different parts of Cairo, providing street boys and girls with medical treatment, literacy classes and other services.

During conversations with girls attending the centre in the working class district of Imbaba, Mrs Hill heard about some of their experiences on the streets, including frequent instances of violence and drug abuse. The girls – some of whom are young mothers -- expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by Hope Village and other NGOs.

Hope Village will open a residential centre for young street mothers later this year, with funding provided by UNICEF.

Biographical Information

Mrs Diana Hill has been President of UNICEF Australia since 2001. She is a Psychologist and helps run several Australian charities focused on children. Mrs Hill visited Cairo with her husband Senator Robert Hill, the Australian Minister for Defence.

Project Information

Hope village Society works with UNICEF Cairo on protection of street children with a special emphasis on girls. "The Street Children Health Risks Project" is based on four main strategies: Awareness raising for street children visiting reception centers; health services including check ups, medicine and referrals to hospitals; Young street mentors program through "peer to peer approach", including use of first aid kits. The project serves some two thousand street children. Other partner NGOs are Caritas – Alexandria; Egyptian Association for the Protection of Children – Alexandria; Egyptian Association for the Protection of Children – Qena.

For further information please contact:

Simon Ingram, Head of Communications UNICEF Egypt
singram@unicef.org
Tel: (202) 5265083-87 Ext 210 / 208
Fax: (202) 526 4218