The Children’s Co-operative
Our overall aims? We aim to promote the wellbeing and empowerment of socially excluded children through participatory educational activities. We use art, drama, games and discussions to explore solutions to issues that are important to children. We particularly focus on working with children of different cultures and backgrounds, and promoting mutual tolerance and understanding between them.
Who are we?
We are a group of people from various backgrounds who have come together because of our concern at the situation of socially excluded children in Egypt. Our qualifications and training include:
• Training to make animation for young people and adults
Save the Children, Sweden, Mena Office, Egypt
• UN Learning Materials on HIV and AIDS
UNAIDS, Cairo office, Egypt
• TOT: Street Children Guideline and Manual
Arab Council for Childhood, Cairo, Egypt
• Training on child protection and the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Save the Children, UK, Mena Office, Egypt
• Training in the child to child approach
Institute of Cultural Affairs, Cairo, Egypt
• Training for creative stakeholders for children
UNICEF, Cairo, Egypt
Who we do reach?
We work with vulnerable children in Egypt who face discrimination because of poverty, class, race, gender, religion and ability. In particular:
• Refugee and displaced children
• Street children
• Children from families with very low incomes
Why do we use participatory methodologies?
• Children’s right to participation is a cornerstone of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention recognizes that, like adults, children have the right to have their views heard and taken into account in decision-making.
• Children’s participation is crucial for development work: we can’t fully understand children’s needs unless we hear their views.
• Participation develops children’s self confidence and prepares them for taking on the role of full citizens with rights and responsibilities.
• Adults cannot protect children all the time. Developing children’s decision-making abilities empowers them to deal with the risks and challenges they face every day.
• Participation shows children that there are many different viewpoints on any subject, and teaches respect and acceptance for different ideas and opinions.
How do we work?
• By using creative education activities (discussions, games, art, film and drama) to explore issues that impact their lives, such as discrimination, conflict and health.
• By bringing children from different backgrounds together to explore their common experiences, learn from each other and seek solutions together.
• By working with local communities, schools and other service providers to include children’s opinions in planning and implementing activities that affect them.
What have we been doing?
• July 2007: Providing training for the Kafelat Hala and Adwar group in research participatory methodology.
• July 2007: Coordinated a workshop for fifteen Congolese refugees in Sayyida Zeinab in the Children’s Garden.
• February 2007: Participated with forty five NGOs in Egypt to make a carnival for street children on 23rd February and to make this day an annual festival.
• Sept 2006 - present: Participatory personal and social education classes, theatre workshops, and reproductive health for young adult refugees at St Andrew’s school for refugee and displaced children.
• Oct 2006- Jan 2007: Theatre and art workshops with street children (in partnership with Hope Village and Nadir El Mahrousa) resulting in a theatre performance “The Street is Ours” and an art exhibition “Draw Your Dreams”.
• June-July 2006. Multicultural Awareness Project with the Townhouse Contemporary Art Gallery. Initial training of facilitators on issues child rights, participatory methodologies, teamwork, empowerment, and culture and difference.