Location
The narrators in Egypt come from the town of Dondeed in Dakahlia province, approximately 5 kilometres from the city of Meet Ghamr and 60 kilometres from Cairo. Dondeed’s population is close to 40,000, and what was once a village is now more of a peri-urban area of multi-storey buildings with water, electricity and sewage facilities.

Livelihood options
Farming as a livelihood is in decline because of the lack of available land. As the population grows, more land is covered by houses. The result is that many people, and especially the younger generation, work in non-farm sectors in surrounding villages and cities. The 2006 census suggested that as many as 35,000 people from Dondeed live elsewhere for employment reasons. Most men are employed in factories or as traders, and many families encourage their sons to join the army because of the prospect of monthly salaries. Most women work as housekeepers or sell products in the market.

In the mid-1970s many of Dondeed’s young men travelled to work in Iraq, Libya and the Gulf, returning with savings that enabled them to knock down their old houses and build new ones made of red brick and cement. Migrating to the Gulf states is still a solution for many, as finding work closer to home has become increasingly difficult.

Facilities and infrastructure
There are seven schools in Dondeed, including secondary schools, and a considerable number of residents have gone on to university education. However, some residents express concern over the quality of this education, and the increasing overcrowding in schools.

Dondeed has government health units, but those who can afford to prefer to visit private clinics. Residents feel that government health services have become poor quality and lack supplies, forcing their patients to buy medicines at a higher price from pharmacies.

Most people in Dondeed have televisions, washing machines, gas cookers, fridges and telephones. Electricity and mains water are provided by the government. There are now five internet cafes and more than 20 mobile phone shops in the town.

The challenge of unemployment
Unemployment is the most pressing concern in Dondeed. Young people find it very hard to get jobs, even if they are university graduates. Migrating for work elsewhere, including to Libya, Iraq and the Gulf, remains the most common solution. But many residents feel there needs to be support to create more opportunities within Dondeed itself, especially for young people, such as helping them to establish their own projects and businesses.

The partner organisation
The Sons of Land Association for Human Rights (SLAHR), founded in 2004, is an NGO that focuses on enhancing the civil, political, economic and cultural rights within Egypt’s Delta region. SLAHR promotes farmers’ and workers’ rights, including their access to land, education, housing, healthcare and work, and also provides legal assistance. Since becoming established, the organisation has presented a number of statements, reports, and appeals to government officials and members of parliament, to lobby for improved rights.