Vocational training for former slum dwellers

Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine el-Qabbaj reviewed on Monday a report about the implementation of ‘Tafra’ (Breakthrough) project for vocational training for former slum dwellers who were granted alternative housing units.

The project which is implemented by the Social Solidarity Ministry in co-operation with Tafra Association for Development is part of the government’s strategy to rehabilitate former slum dwellers and empower them economically.

The project’s first phase included training 3,000 youth from June to October 2023 in three alternative-housing neighborhoods that are Cairo’s Mahrousa 1, Mahrousa 2, and Khayala, the report noted.

In the first phase, training workshops were organized to hone the skills of youth in some professions related to their local community, like sewing, health care services and nursery supervision as well as maintenance of cell phones, surveillance cameras, AC, and satellite dish and receiver, the report said.

The programme also includes awareness campaigns as volunteers make field visits to families in the targeted alternative housing neighbourhoods  to  guide them to the importance of these training workshops to attain economic independence, the report added.

A ministerial committee was formed torehabilitate former slum dwellers, who were granted alternative housing.

The number of slums nationwide has been 351, and they are classified into four categories in terms of the extent of danger and the mechanisms of intervention. The committee, accordingly, designs a rehabilitation strategy that takes into account the demographics and characteristics of targeted citizens.