By Bellah Zulu, ACNS

The Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa has expressed its gratitude to the many Christians in Egypt and around the world for their monetary and material support towards helping the "poorest of the poor".

This was contained in a report compiled to account for the first disbursement of the more than US$80, 000 raised following a Special Appeal for Egypt to help the poor as well as to help build capacity for young adults in Egypt.

"I would like to thank you so much for all your support during last year," said Bishop Mouneer who launched the appeal. "With your support, we were able to help many people, especially during the hard times which Egypt is going through."

The last few months have been traumatic for Egyptians after they witnessed much bloodshed and vandalism on their streets. Last year saw the destruction of churches and government buildings.

Anglican, Catholic and Coptic churches, as well as Christian schools, were burned down during the attacks in August last year. Despite efforts to restore peace, there is still a lack of security on the streets and the economy continues to decline.

The money raised was used mainly for food packages for disadvantaged Egyptian and Sudanese families, school fees and supplies for orphans and vulnerable children as well as for medical assistance.

A seven-year old Egyptian boy, Magdy, said he was grateful for the school bag he was given. "Yesterday I had a dream that I had a bag. It is the same bag that I was given at church. I asked my dad for a bag for school and he told me God will send it."

Khawaja Muhammad, a Muslim from Sudan who is now living in Egypt said, "My husband is in Sudan. We have a family of four and I thank God that the Church is interested in helping us."

She added: "I was always so pre-occupied on what I would do and how I would provide for my family [thanks to the help received] I had the first joyous morning in a long time."

The Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa serves all people regardless of religion or race, especially the disadvantaged and marginalised, through educational, medical, and community development ministries.