PROJECTS
Over the years MECO Canada personnel have been involved in many kinds of ministry including teaching, research, aiding refugees, helping disabled people, caring for orphans and street children..
Currently there are three projects that have captured our attention and our hearts:
A SPECIAL SCHOOL
The African Hope Learning Centre was created in 1998 when members of the Maadi Community Church in Egypt recognized African refugee children living in Cairo couldn’t go to school, in particular those from Sudan. There were many reasons for this, but the primary reason was poverty. Their parents were unemployment or held poorly paying jobs. As a result, they couldn’t afford to pay the fees so that their children could attend Egyptian schools.
When church members established the learning centre it initially had students in kindergarten through to Grade 12. Many of the teachers at the school were unemployed Africans. Lunch was provided every day and in some cases it was the only meal children had to eat. Once a week, a local doctor addressed their medical needs.
Today, the centre is located in a small building in the Greater Cairo Area that once was home to a family of eight. Every possible space is used in the building to provide classrooms for children in kindergarten through Grade 8. Four hundred and fifty students come to the centre in shifts each day. Morning classes are held for the junior students. Senior students are taught after lunch, which is still provided for all the students. The youngest students also have breakfast at the centre.
School fees, which are kept as low as possible, help cover 30 per cent of the running costs of the centre. The rest of the budget is dependent on donations, primarily from people in North America, who through their generosity, make possible a better today and brighter tomorrow for the children.
MEDIA OUTREACH
A “Thought From a Verse” and “Prophetic Messages” are two online Christian video programs that are broadcast on Facebook three times a week. In 2019, both programs had an audience of 22,000 Arabic speaking people living throughout the Middle East and around the world. Today, the audience has grown to 123,000 – people eager to hear God’s good news whether they are Christians or Muslims. The radio ministry has also become interactive. People are not only being linked to websites where they can access the Bible, they are also able to ask questions, and receive answers to their questions, by using Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.
In addition, the person who is responsible for both programs – writing and broadcasting – leads a prayer ministry for his audience. Many have received healing from the Lord – both inner and physical healing. Some have been delivered from severe bondages due to involvement in the occult. He also leads a weekly online Bible study.
WOMEN TO WOMEN
Beloved Women Organization (BWO) is a Christian ministry based in Ontario, that reaches out to Middle Eastern women, who live in the Greater Toronto Area.
Started by a Christian woman, who emigrate to Canada from Lebanon, BWO organizes multiple events during the year, featuring guest speakers who share their testimonies, as well as speak on a variety of topics of interest to new Canadians. The half-day events are a time for fun and fellowship, and a chance to make new friends.
Aside from the events, BWO offers seminars, to help women adjust to life in Canada, and classes to help them gain new life skills.
Ministering to the practical needs of women and their families has also been part of BWO’s mandate. This has included delivering groceries during the pandemic to single moms, visiting with women who feel lonely, and taking them to appointments.
A number of churches in Mississauga, Milton and Brampton, as well as local Christian organizations, have helped BWO carry out its ministry by offering their buildings for gatherings, seminars and courses, providing volunteers to help with events, and giving financially.