Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity, inaugurated the childcare center for the children of employees at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The opening ceremony was attended by Counselor Adnan Fanjari, Minister of Justice, Engineer Margret Saroufim, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity, Mr. Eiwei Fumio, Ambassador of Japan to Cairo, and Mr. Ibiasso Yu, Head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in Egypt, as well as several other officials and experts in the field of childhood development.
The attendees toured the center, where they were introduced to its various sections, objectives, and future vision. The center includes four classrooms that welcome children from 4 months to 6 years old and has a capacity of 77 children. It was established following Japanese standards and includes a clinic offering preventive and therapeutic services, as well as regular health check-ups for children. Additionally, the center has an isolation room for sick children and maintains a medical file for each child. There is also an environmentally-friendly play area equipped with modern toys and facilities.
The center is run by a team of specialists trained in the latest child development methods, with collaboration from JICA to implement Japan’s education system through learning programs and activities tailored to enhance children’s skills. The center focuses on providing a comprehensive educational and recreational environment that includes artistic and expressive activities, as well as emotional development sessions to help children understand and express their emotions, contributing to their psychological and emotional growth.
The attendees also witnessed a musical performance by children from the Ministry’s “I Am Talented” initiative, as well as a ballet performance by several girls.
Morsy praised the efforts behind the center’s creation, highlighting its alignment with the Early Childhood Development Program, which is the only global program offered by the Japanese government, focusing on early childhood education. She emphasized that the center is the first to apply the Japanese model in the New Administrative Capital, pointing out that the Ministry is working to increase the number of daycare centers across Egypt, aiming to raise the national percentage from 8% to 25% to better support working mothers.
In conclusion, Dr. Morsy expressed her gratitude to the Japanese Embassy and JICA for their ongoing collaboration, which made this center possible. She expressed hope that this model would expand to include more daycare centers nationwide.
Amb. Fumio of Japan, for his part, expressed his pleasure at being part of the event, noting that play is one of the most important aspects of early learning and has a significant positive impact on child development. He thanked the Minister and the team for their efforts and the fruitful cooperation that led to the establishment of this center.
