Kayan Association Signs Cooperation Protocol with Seven Civil Associations and Institutions

Kayan Association Signs Cooperation Protocol with Seven Civil Associations and Institutions

Kayan Association for Persons with Disabilities has signed a cooperation protocol with seven civil associations and institutions to advocate for and fulfill the rights of persons with disabilities. This significant event took place at Kayan's main headquarters in Hadayek El Kobba, Cairo, as part of the directives from the "Capable of Differences" conference on December 28, 2022. The initiative aligns with the political leadership's vision to enhance programs and take necessary executive actions aimed at empowering and including persons with disabilities. Integrating and empowering our sons and daughters with disabilities is a priority essential to improving citizens' lives.

Dr. Mohamed Helmy Khalaf, a national expert in disability affairs and rehabilitation and the general supervisor of this initiative, stated that the protocol aims to create self-employment opportunities with partial assistance for youth, both with and without disabilities, aged 19-35. The focus will be on handicrafts, traditional professions, and income-generating jobs through sheltered workshop models that are protected from market competition, thereby providing a stable monthly income and fostering entrepreneurship.

Dr. Manal Maher, CEO of Al Qarra Foundation for Sustainable Development, highlighted the key partners in this initiative. These include a selected group of civil associations and institutions specializing in disability and rehabilitation: Arab Skills Development Center (ASC) - Fifth Settlement, Cairo; Al Qarra Foundation for Sustainable Development - Downtown Cairo; Kayan Association for Persons with Disabilities - Hadayek El Kobba, Cairo; Hope City Foundation - Madinat Nasr, Cairo; Upper Egypt Education and Development Association - Ramses, Cairo; Very Special Art Association - Cairo; and the Libyan Autism Society - Benghazi, Libya.

Dr. Ayman Tantawi, Executive Director of Kayan Association for Persons with Disabilities, outlined the implementation phases of this protocol. The first phase is a three-month pilot, beginning in early November 2023, involving the formulation and execution of annex (1). The second phase, lasting six months, focuses on networking and partnerships, including signing cooperation annexes and working jointly with relevant ministries and local and international funding institutions. The third phase is the expansion and dissemination phase, which involves implementing the outcomes and projects agreed upon in the previous phase.

Dr. Amal Azzat, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Hope City Foundation, announced the launch of the pilot phase, set for November 26-28, 2023. This phase will implement the first model of a sheltered workshop in Egypt and the Arab world, protected from market competition. The focus will be on manufacturing artifacts and sculptures using artificial marble, with participation from 28 youths (21 with disabilities and 7 without), aged 19-35. The selection committee includes Dr. Amnia Al-Safti from the Arab Skills Development Center (ASC), Dr. Nadia Al-Arabi from the Very Special Art Association, Dr. Azza Fakhry, an art therapy expert, Dr. Salwa Al-Asal, a disability and rehabilitation expert from Libya, and Safwat Badri, a disabilities expert from the Upper Egypt Education and Development Association.

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