Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE)
The Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE) was established as a nonprofit in 1984 by prominent Egyptian philanthropist Yousriya Sawiris to improve the living conditions of garbage collectors (known as "zabbaleen" in Arabic) and their families in the Mokattam area of Cairo. APE's programmes focus on community well-being, particularly among women and children, and creating income-generating opportunities through recycling and up-cycling waste. Initiatives include: a composting plant; rug-weaving and patchwork workshops; maternal and child health; literacy classes; and paper recycling.
- Organisation type Nonprofit
- Year founded 1984
- Headquartered Cairo
- Registration Egypt
- Website http://www.ape-egypt.com
Related sustainable development goals
Focus areas
Focus sectors
Arts
- Visual arts
- Painting
- Textile arts
- Design
- Arts & Culture
- Humanities
- Literature and writing
Development
- Business and industry
- Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable development
- Economic development
- Community improvement
Education
- Early childhood education
- Vocational education
- Adult education
- Adult Literacy
Environment
- Recycling
Health
- Reproductive health care
- Family planning
- Maternal and perinatal health
- Childbirth
- Out-patient care
- Health care clinics
- Preventive care
- Health care quality
- Public health
- Water access, sanitation and hygiene
- Healthcare access
Public affairs
- Leadership development
Sports and leisure
- Community recreation
Focus populations
- At-risk youth
- Low-income people
- Women and girls
- Working poor
Focus geographies
North Africa
- Egypt
- Cairo
Programmes
Children's club
APE opened a children's club in 1993 to provide pre-school aged children (4-6 years old) with a safe space to learn, eat healthy food, and gain the skills to prepare them for formal schooling.
Composting plant
APE developed this programme to collect animal waste from residents' homes and recycling it to create high-grade compost for sale. The income is then used to fund community health, literacy, recreation, and income-generating projects for the Mokkatam community.
Literacy classes
This programme provides community in Mokkatam, Cairo with literacy classes for adults and children who have dropped out of school.
Mother & child
This programme provides training for midwives, vaccinations for pregnant women, and a safe space for women and their infants or toddlers to receive care.
Rug weaving, patchwork, and paper recycling
Using recycled rags and materials, this project helps women create products such as rugs, bags, blankets, and gift items to generate an income for themselves and their families.
Financials
Funding model
- Impact investing
- Pro bono services
- Programme related investment
- Volunteering
Primary funders
- Yousriya Sawiris
Funding source
- Fundraising
- Private
- Revenue generation
Operations
Board members
- Yousriya Sawiris
Contact details
- 00 20 12 0061 9908
- info@ape.org.eg
- http://www.ape-egypt.com
- P.O. Box 32, Qal'a, Cairo, Egypt
More
Resources
APE has an online store where it sells products made by women from the Mokattam community who using recycled materials from waste collected around Cairo. You can check out their products here.