In March 2008, AYB-SD organized a big recruitment campaign in Faculty of Economics and Political Science (FEPS). AYB-SD’s booth was visited by many students who wanted to apply in various AYB-SD programs. It was noticed that many young people want to do something for their country, but they just need the chance.
AYB-SD Chairperson won the “35 under 35” International Award
On the 4th October 2007, Raghda El Ebrashi, AYB-SD Founder and Chairperson, flew to London to receive the 35 Under 35 award, established by World Business magazine in London and Shell Corporation to recognize 35 women from different countries around the world under the age of 35 who are leading business and social entrepreneurs. El Ebrashi received the award for her establishment of Alashanek Ya Balady as being one of the successful community development models in Egypt .
The event gathered a group of highly successful women in the Kempinski Hotel in London . They came from all corners of the globe -- Colombia , India , Russia , Tunisia and Ireland -- to name a few of the countries represented there. They were campaigners, social entrepreneurs and business women of the highest caliber.
AYB-SD organizes Eid El Fitr Clothes Fair
As a yearly activity, AYB-SD organized its Eid El Fitr Clothes Fair “Keswa” in the last week of Ramadan for the residents of Misr El Qadeama. The campaign served over 100 families in the district, where people had access to high quality second-hand clothes. In addition, AYB-SD distributed new clothes on 200 of its beneficiaries as a gift in the feast.
Ramadan Campaign for the Poor
AYB-SD was able to distribute 3,000 Ramadan Bulk Meals on the poor in Misr El Qadeama and El Haggana during Ramadan. The project was done in coordination with Alashanek ya Balady clubs in AUC and Ain Shams.
An Evaluation and Analysis of the Micro-credit Program of Alashanek Ya Balady by Boston Students
Last June, AYB-SD hosted a group of 10 students from the Northeastern University in the US, where they volunteered to evaluate the micro-credit system of AYB-SD. The program was organized and facilitated by John D. Gerhart Center Program of International Community-Based-Learning (CBL) at the American University in Cairo. The evaluation of the program was very positive, where most of the surveys indicated that the micro-credit beneficiaries are satisfied with the micro-credit program of AYB-SD and other comprehensive development packages as illiteracy eradication, children development, and others.
In the document submitted by the Northern University students, many ideas and recommendations were outlined in details for AYB-SD, including ideas for expansion and mobilizing local initiatives.
The following was written in the document submitted:
Our Mission
To analyze and evaluate the operations of the Economic Empowerment Initiative program of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Alashanek Ya Balady (AYB-SD), with a focus on the core Micro-credit program.
We will accomplish our mission by interviewing the beneficiaries of the Micro-credit program who live in the impoverished Cairo neighborhood of Ain el Sira and speaking with the founders of AYB-SD. Using this information, we will develop case studies and analyze the systematic operations of the organization.
Our Anticipated Results
A document providing external perspectives to AYB, including our ideas and recommendations for improvement and further developments.
We hope this document will provide an effective format for evaluating the progress of AYB's programs that can be used again in future evaluations. We hope to develop and maintain a positive relationship with AYB-SD and Ain el Sira, paving the way for the involvement of future Northern University (NU) students and faculty. This relationship will be mutually beneficial: NU students will gain firsthand insight to Egyptian culture and environment, and hopefully by helping the NGO (AYB-SD) we will help the people of Ain el Sira.
AYB Birthday
On the 21 st of April, Alashanek ya Balady Association for Sustainable Development celebrated the second birthday of the NGO and the sixth birthday of Alashanek ya Balady clubs in various universities in Egypt .
The celebration was held in Le Notre, Nile City and was attended by all the members of the association. In addition, every unit in the association handed a valuable gift to AYB-SD on its birthday!
Happy birthday dear AYBians!
Funday
On the 4 th of May, the Children Development Program organized a fun day for Ain El Sira School's children in the German University in Cairo (GUC). Children enjoyed playing in the sun, where they played football, basketball, and face-painting.
Painting
In the mid-year recess, the Children Development Program of AYB-SD painted the classrooms of Ain El Sira School. The children of the school shared the painting with the members of the Children Program. The painting took one week, and members were there everyday to finish the classrooms before the school semester starts. All painting materials were donated from Pachin.
Social Solidarity
On the 11 th of November 2006, AYB-SD signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the American University in Cairo to design a comprehensive strategy for poverty eradication in Egypt . AYB-SD will be responsible for piloting a poverty eradication strategy in Ain El Sira that can be replicated in various governorates in Egypt .
