Grand Circle Foundation announces support of two schools in Luxor
A traveler and young student read a book together in a classroom at the Al Taref School.
Since the very beginning of tourism in Egypt, Luxor has been a popular destination—yet while the area has continuously adapted to the modern needs of its visitors, the people who live here are disproportionately poor.
“The average income of a family on Luxor’s West Bank is about 800 Egyptian pounds per month,” says Area Manager Salah Badea, “which is equal to around $130.” While some residents have found work in the tourism industry—driving buses or running shops, for example—most people here are farmers … and many don’t have work at all. “For some,” says Salah, “there is simply no opportunity.”
Beginning this month, however, the children of Luxor’s West Bank will have new educational opportunities, thanks to a partnership with Grand Circle Foundation. Travelers on OAT’s Cairo & the Eternal Nile River adventure will soon be visiting one of two newly sponsored primary schools as part of their A Day in the Life experience: the Al Taref School or Saad Zaklol School (depending on itinerary).
A group of students pose in one of their classrooms at Saad Zaklol School.
The two schools represent different Egyptian educational models. Al Taref is a traditional government school, where English is taught beginning in the fourth year of primary school. Saad Zaklol is an experimental language school, where English is taught in the first year. Both schools, however, have similar needs: The government provides only the very basics, such as buildings and teachers’ salaries. Therefore, the schools are seriously lacking equipment.
Grand Circle Foundation’s first grant of $2000 for each school has provided a music room equipped with keyboards, accordions, drums, and other instruments to enable the children to express themselves creatively. During a tour of the school, travelers will be able to see Foundation funds at work—not only in the music room itself, but especially in the smiling faces of the children, who are now able to learn and have fun as they preserve their cultural heritage through song.
As we begin this new partnership, we look forward to providing additional opportunities for the children of Luxor’s West Bank.
To learn more about the work of Grand Circle Foundation, visit www.grandcirclefoundation.org.