Why we created EPES Mandala

Mission: “Children at Risk Programme Final Evaluation Mission”
Consultant: Ghassan Rubeiz

Overall Objective

The overall objective of the Children at Risk Programme is twofold:

a) The poverty among vulnerable children is reduced and their social development is thus improved.

b) The capacity of the NGOs to contribute effectively to social development is enhanced.

Specific Objective

In line with the priority areas as defined in the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) and National Indicative Programme (NIP) 2002-2004, the specific objective of the Children at risk programme is:

a) The living conditions and the prospects of social reintegration of five groups of economically vulnerable and socially marginalized children are improved.

b) Girl’s access to education is facilitated.

c) The NGO sector is strengthened.

d) The relevant authorities (MISA’s NGO department) and the NGO sector cooperate closer.

Ghassan Rubeiz, an expert within EPES Mandala reports :

This spring, I was in a team assigned to Egypt to evaluate an extensive, externally funded, child welfare program. Evaluation involved extensive visits to five groups of projects which served Children at Risk: FGM, girl schools in remote areas, services to children with disability, projects with street children and with working children. A three-member team spent seven weeks in the study of documents, field visits, interviews and discussions with program implementers, experts, officials and funding personnel.

I was particularly interested in projects of disability. Of the many disabled children I visited, one story stands out. A twelve-year old boy had never left his dwelling. His small room had no windows; his mother, who was ashamed for having him, took care of him in secret. The father had abandoned the family. There is progress in this family. The social worker is pleased that the boy is now going on trips with school children. The next therapeutic step is for the mother to accept to walk with her child in his wheelchair through the neighborhood. As she receives support and education through the project she is now proud to have him.

 

Flavio Conti, joined EPES Mandala in February 2009 as Management and Marketing Officer. He holds a Masters in International Relations and European Studies at the College of Europe. He has long worked with NGOs dealing with sustainable development in Africa and is now working to expand our business towards EC funded projects and programmes.
He is responsible for Framework contracts (lots 7: ‘Culture, Governance and Home Affairs’ and 13: Humanitarian Aid, Crisis Management and Post-Crisis Assistance).







Katerina Jelissejeva, has joined EPES Mandala in June 2009 in order to help us in identifying and maximizing our contract opportunities within our areas of expertise. She will also maintain and develop the relationships with our partners, and help the Marketing Officer to open a strategic number of new partnerships with the EC and EC-related consulting firms. At last she will help maintaining and expanding our expert database and review expert resumes. We wish her welcome and good luck in her new functions.






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