Education

• Masr Bokra has a building in the factory area with teaching facilities which are stocked with books and games.

• We hold literacy classes and exams, which have enabled dozens of workers to obtain Literacy Certificates.

• 100 young workers who were forced to drop out of government schools to work have gained basic skills through Masr Bokra.

• We estimate that 500 students a year access our education service, from those who turn up for a couple of lessons or simply enjoy the chance to play with our resources, right up to those who study regularly towards qualifications.

 

Trips, sports days and holidays:

• For the last 4 years, we have run three trips per year, each benefiting 90-100 children.

• We also run 3 sports days per year at a local sports club.

• For the last 3 years, we have taken 50 to 80 children per year on holiday to Port Said, a popular seaside resort.

 

Healthcare:

• For 6 years, we have provided first aid for injuries sustained in the factories.
• We have also organised drop-in sessions for doctors and health workers with relevant specialisations to treat medical conditions that commonly arise as a result of brickmaking work.

•  Masr Bokra have collected donations to enable children to have treatment for serious medical conditions, including vision and hearing loss, hepatitis and cancer.

 

Animal welfare

• We have developed and delivered lessons on animal welfare for the children in partnership with Brooke Animal Hospital. Animal and human health are closely linked; by taking care of their horses and donkeys, the children learn to take care of themselves.

 

Accommodation

• We have upgraded 3 rooms with beds for 40 children in 3 brick factories. Having separate accommodation for children has protected them from the risk of sexual abuse.

• The boys report that they feel ‘human’ when they have beds to sleep in. Without beds, they say they feel as though they are animals.

 

Ramadan meals and gifts

• During Ramadan the children work at night and sleep in the day because they are fasting. We bring the children their breakfast at sunset so they are fed before they start work.

• For each factory we visit, we hold an Iftar, where we bring the children a home-cooked meal and a gift package of clothes and food.