Income generation to expand girls social possibilities. Adolescent Girls Project / SEEDS Egypt.

This paper focuses on the project undertaken by the Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE) to improve the livelihood of Mokattam girls through the introduction of new skills social identities and income-generating opportunities. Most of the employed women came from families whose main source of income comes from the collection and sorting of garbage. These girls were taught income-generating crafts. APE concentrated more on the "unmet needs" of these girls in terms of maternal and child care as the program developed. They trained girls as health worker agents to address the special needs of girls aged 12-20 and pregnant mothers. Focus group discussions aimed at changing womens views on reproductive health and personal fulfillment were conducted. Several lessons have been learned and these girls became more socially aware of the major issues affecting them. With the success of this endeavor organizers are trying to imitate the project in another garbage-collecting community and planning of a broader scope which includes men.