Cairo, December 11-14 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Egypt supported the organization of three events under the Children’s Education Program of St Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) in Cairo this week.

The three events included a sports day, a closing ceremony and a graduation party, and were attended by 309, 399 and 151 people respectively and from different nationalities including Sudanese, South-Sudanese, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somalian, Yemeni, and Egyptian.

Students from the school who took part in the sports day were split into four teams, ‘houses,’ and competed in various sports activities including racing, jumping, football, basketball and volleyball. IOM provided items necessary for the activities, such as nets and skipping ropes, as well as food for the contestants.

The closing ceremony, attended by parents and families, was an occasion to celebrate the academic achievements of students from grade 1 to senior 3 during the summer and fall terms.

Finally, the graduation ceremony was catered to grade 8 students and 3 senior students who successfully completed their classes; the latter will now be joining the senior school or applying to university. IOM support included the provision of graduate gowns, food and refreshments for the graduates and attendees.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to IOM Egypt for their support to hold these activities for the children. We were able to bring children and parents together, from different nationalities, to play sports, celebrate and better integrate” says the Director of Education at StARS.

Capacity building support to civil society organizations falls within the framework of the Regional Development and Protection Programme for North Africa (RDPP NA), which responds to migration challenges by building the resilience and capacity of host communities and migrants to ensure community cohesion. The initiative is funded by the European Union.

This initiative supports the accomplishment of UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 Quality Education, 10 Reduced Inequalities and 17 Partnerships for the Goals. It also contributes to the realization of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy: Vision 2030, in particular the Education and Training Pillar.

For further information, please contact Ms Zeinab Sabet at iomegypt@iom.int.