Improving the Education Environment for Special Needs in Beni Suef

Socio-economic and cultural realities in Upper Egypt impose challenges on different minorities and marginalized groups living in this part of the country. Persons with special needs are in that respect a group which suffers marginalization and lack of care on behalf of their families and the communities in which they live. Such a situation is not only hard on this category but also on their families, whom often lack the economic means to support them in addition to the psychological and societal pressure imposed on them. The Better Life organization in the city of Bebba in Beni Suef is attempting to address the above mentioned problems by providing educational support to the target group, in addition to supporting and increasing awareness of their families on best behavioral approaches to deal with mental and physical disabilities in a family context. The project aims at improving the learning environment, and increase awareness of family Care for ‘Special Needs and handicapped’ (mental and physical) in Beba City, governorate of Beni Suef.

The project is comprised of 3 main components:

Component 1: Capacity Building for 15 volunteers.
Component 2: Social Activities (Awareness sessions+ Weekly Club + Trips + Visits to families).
Component 3: Equipment for the center.

Project activities include; Training and capacity building for 15 volunteers engaged in activities with mentally ill and multiple handicap cases (physical); Improve rehabilitation services for 75 persons with physical disabilities;  Increase the awareness of 60 families with members suffering a disability using a community based approach. Project beneficiaries are 75 cases of mental and physical disabilities,15 volunteers working in the areas of disabilities and 60 families.