Egypt

Egyptian children find the support they need

The story of how young Egyptians with diabetes are getting psychosocial support and other help starts with a visit to Paris. That’s where Ms Laila Sioufi, president of Assistance to Young Diabetics (AYD), found the materials that form the base of a therapeutic education programme she started for young people with diabetes in Cairo. “It’s like a fairytale,” says Dr Line Kleinebreil, who is French National Adviser for DAWN and close to the project. “Here’s this retired business manager with no past history of diabetes care setting up a successful education programme from nothing.” Ms Sioufi, inspired by friends whose children had diabetes and sensitive to the stress it caused in their lives, asked the French organisation of L’Aide des Jeunes Diabétiques (AJD) if she could translate and use their educational materials to start her own programme in Egypt. AJD quickly agreed. From there, Ms Sioufi recruited physicians, psychologists and assistants and opened an office in Cairo. She and her team then set about translating and adapting the printed materials from France to make them more relevant for an Egyptian audience. The first training course in 2002 included 20 children. Now in its fourth year, the programme is run by 20 full-time trainers, and more than 2,000 children have been helped. Additionally, its reach now extends to other parts of the country, where children and their parents can get help or general self-care recommendations and free materials for testing blood glucose through local churches and mosques. The programme is also being expanded to address the needs of children and parents on-site in hospitals. Staff will be available to answer questions, share materials and offer support at the time of diagnosis or physical treatment. In 2004, AYD was chosen to receive the first annual DAWN award. The money will be used to continue and expand their work, and promote its wider use in the Arab- speaking world.