A boy learning to read Braille at the 'Sun of Righteousness' centre for handicapped children in 6th of October City, Cairo. The centre receives Braille and audio Scriptures from the Bible Society of Egypt. Photo: BS Egypt (EGY04DJ-14.JPG)

More than 60 children with a range of disabilities, including some who are blind or visually impaired, are now benefiting from the facilities available here. The centre is the fulfilment of one man’s dream: while tending patients year after year, Dr Marcos gradually assembled the support and funds he needed to build and run it.

New Scripture formats to meet special needs A key area of activity for the Bible Society of Egypt is the production of Scripture in formats which make God’s Word accessible to people who, because of illiteracy or disability, are unable to read it for themselves. Supplying Braille and audio materials to the children of the ‘Sun of Righteousness’ centre (see main article) is just one of these projects. Bible Society readers interested in supporting Bible Society of Egypt audio and video projects can find further information on the UBS intranet at: http://program.biblesocieties.org:8080/home

Popular

One source of support for Dr Marcos is the Bible Society of Egypt, which supplies the centre with Braille and audio Scriptures. These are so popular among the children that every year Dr Marcos asks for fresh supplies. This year, when the Year of the Bible is being celebrated in the Middle East and the Bible Society is promoting audio and visual media as a way of boosting the accessibility of the Bible (see World Report 386/19), it was particularly keen to fulfil his request.

Eager to see for themselves how the Society’s Braille and audio Scriptures are being used by children, a group of staff led by Communications Director Nashat Megalaa visited the centre in March. On arrival, the visitors were quickly surrounded by lively, talkative children. It soon became clear that the ‘bestseller’ among the Bible Society products used at the centre is the collection of 365 Bible stories in Braille. So enthusiastic are the children about reading these stories that they even take them home with them during the three-month summer break – three thick volumes in a specially reinforced paper bag! Back home in their villages, where Braille is almost unheard of and most people are unable to read even ordinary printed text, their ability to ‘read’ dots attracts much interest.

Enjoy listening

The children also told the visitors how much they enjoy listening to Bible Society Scripture cassettes, now available in four different dialects of Arabic.

“These cassettes are of great value for those who cannot read, for listening to and understanding the Bible,” says Mr Megalaa. “And they are a real benefit and practical help as students follow along in their Braille Bible, learning to read.”

Sound of singing

As the Bible Society staff left the centre, the sound of the children’s singing ringing in their ears, they reflected on what they had heard about the impact on these children of gaining access to God’s Word. The story of one girl, Saieda, was particularly moving (see next article).

“It was a really incredible visit,” concludes Mr Megalaa. “We were all very touched and encouraged.” (WR 389/10 - 12.04/01.05)