Programs. Marhaba will offer two programs in 2008. They will both run from June 25 to August 6.

Program I
Program 1 will work with St. Andrew’s Church to serve the refugee population in Cairo. St. Andrew’s provides educational and vocational training for refugees from primarily African countries who had fled their homes due to war or other disaster or who have a well-founded fear of returning due to persecution or loss of rights. St. Andrews refugee programs are entirely secular and the population served is both Christian and Muslim.

PROGRAM II
Volunteers in Program II will work with an Egyptian
non-governmental organization addressing urban poverty and economic development. Volunteers will assist with everything from physical renovations (painting a kids room, for example) to need assessments to program design and grant writing. The exact responsibilities will depend on each individuals' Arabic level and the specific needs of the organization over the summer.

Volunteer Logistics
Partner Organizations: Volunteers will spend several hours per day volunteering with our partners in civil society.

Arabic: Volunteers will study Egyptian colloquial Arabic several hours per week for the duration of the program. Program staff will help volunteers to arrange more intense Arabic study if they wish to take more classes at their own expense.

Housing: Volunteers will live in communal apartments close to downtown Cairo.

Seminars: Program staff will arrange weekly seminars with leaders in civil society, government, and academia to address topics relating to development in Egypt. Additional seminars can be tailored to volunteers’ individual interests.

Health: Volunteers will be required to have health insurance in their home countries, evacuation insurance, and emergency medical insurance. Routine health services and medications are readily available and inexpensive.

Cultural Trips: Program staff will arrange several optional cultural visits based on
volunteer interest. These could include: the pyramids at Giza, the Egyptian museum, Coptic Cairo, or Islamic Cairo.

Training: Volunteers will participate in a one-week orientation program that will include intensive Arabic, cultural events, visits to the partner organizations, and group reflection.

Safety: According to the US Department of State, Egypt has a relatively low crime rate. As in any large city in the world, however, volunteers, especially women, need to exercise caution at night. Volunteers should also avoid travel in the Sinai.