Coptic Catholic priests and nuns are dedicating their lives to giving Egypt’s special needs children a chance. While Christian instruction is not a part of the curriculum, the spirit of Good Samaritan Home is rooted in St. Luke’s Gospel account of the parable about loving one’s neighbor. “Muslims in this region are known to be strong supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood,” says Father Ishaq, referring to Egypt’s largest Islamist political party, which came to power in 2012 but was toppled by the Egyptian military in 2013. “If parents thought we were giving Christian instruction,” adds one teacher, “they would not send their children here. And in many ways, Muslims need our services even more than the Christians.”
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gypt’s orphaned children face many of the same difficulties that impact the country’s special needs children: poverty, neglect and, especially, social stigma. However, because Egyptian law bans the adoption of children — irrespective of religion — orphans are fated to spend their entire childhood living in an institution, without ever knowing the security of family life. But in Cairo — some 62 miles from the desert oasis of El Faiyum — another Good Samaritan is trying z Children complete their homework. u Rev. Kamil William is pictured with two of his charges who live at the Good Samaritan Orphanage in Cairo.
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