In November 2025 a team from BHW was in Cairo and spent time talking with S and N about this project. They confirmed that it is an important part of their ongoing strategy for ministry.
On the morning of Sunday the 2nd of November, 28 women came to the training centre, and we were able to speak to them to encourage them from the Bible. These women are from Christian churches in the area. Most are widows or abandoned by their husbands and they are extremely poor. They come every month for encouragement and are given a small amount of cash and some food supplies. The day we were there they received two frozen chickens each and were extremely happy.
On Tuesday the 11th of November two women from the BHW team went with S and some of the team members to visit a group of about 70 women in a church. There was some singing, dialogue with the women and testimonies, and one of the BHW women spoke to them, encouraging them in faith. After the programme was finished the women all received packages of food and some received a small amount of cash.
Every month the team visits four churches where very poor women gather. The women are Christians with some contact with the church. They are registered by the church and are regular attendees. Their circumstances are dire. They are widows, abandoned and very poor and the local churches struggle to help them. They are vulnerable and abused and looked down on by the community. They struggle to put food on the table for their children and provide the necessities of life.
As well as the four groups, another group comes to the centre each month for a similar programme put on by the Barnabas team.
One lady’s husband is a drug addict and is very violent. He is away from the house constantly and uses any money for drugs. He doesn’t work and abuses his wife and children. Several times he has been sent away to get help but falls over again immediately he returns home. The woman has no way to leave the dangerous relationship and fears for her children. Without the help and encouragement of the team she would kill herself as she is so desperate.
Three sisters in their 30's came to the gathering at the centre who are so poor and struggling. Two of them are married and one single. She doesn’t want to marry as she sees how hard life is for her sisters. They all get small amounts of work in people’s houses but it’s not enough to support them all, even though they help each other. Neither of the husbands have regular work and contribute little to the household income. Both use drugs. They were overjoyed to get the 
frozen chickens.
The BHW team who visited the women heard one heartbreaking story. A lady told the story that some days previously her son had disappeared and after a few days people had contacted her saying that the boy had been kidnapped. The people who had done it were demanding money for his release. We are not sure how much, but think it was a few hundred dollars. She was very upset as she had no money to redeem her son. We talked with N about the situation and his perspective was that it would not be good to pay money, otherwise many more incidents like this might occur. What a terrible situation and dilemma for everyone!
The church leaders see these programmes as a real boost to their ability to assist their people. The churches, though quite large, have very low incomes and many needs. The recent rises in the cost of living is placing strain on everyone, no one is exempt. The women who are part of this programme are the most faithful women to the church and regular attendees. Their children are very vulnerable, and they wish they could do more for them. There are many more people in their communities who are struggling, and they do not see that it will improve in the future.
They are concerned that if they cannot help these women they will be lost. There are many temptations for the women, and they regularly hear stories of the pressure they are under to convert to Islam, being lured by promises of money and goods. They are vulnerable to extortion and violence, as are their children. The church leaders want the churches to be able to help the whole person, not just to preach to them.
The huge increase in costs for basic food and necessities and the extra pressure it places on the poorest women and families.
Many Christian families are facing pressure and persecution, and many are the first to lose jobs as the economy contracts.
It is virtually impossible to get jobs for the unskilled.
Men and husbands are increasingly turning to drugs, and this is placing further pressure on families. There is very little hope left for many.
They want to continue the programmes in the existing locations. They have many requests for help from churches but do not have the capacity.
They requested more funds for this programme.
1) That many women are being helped, about 300 per month plus their children, a total of around 800 people.
2) That the churches are very keen for the programme and provide volunteers to help the Barnabas team
3) That people are regularly coming to faith at the meetings
4) Pray for safety for the women and their children
The biggest issue here is that it is a relief only programme. It is hard to know where to go with it as it will always be a black hole for resources. How do we stop it / how do we continue it becomes the dilemma. It is an important aspect of Barnabas' strategy in and around Cairo and is something that needs to be constantly discussed with them. There appears to be very few options for sustainability.