Our Story and Mission
We believe in the transformative power of education to build dignity, opportunity, and self-reliance in Upper Egypt’s rural communities.
For over five decades, PACHE has been driven by a simple yet profound conviction: that children in Upper Egypt deserve quality education regardless of their economic circumstances. We understand that lasting change happens when communities gain the tools to shape their own futures, beginning with accessible, quality education for their children.
Our founders—Canadians of Egyptian origin—established this bridge between Canada and Upper Egypt in 1969, recognizing that by connecting resources across continents, we could help preserve cultural heritage while creating pathways out of poverty. This vision continues to guide us as we support sustainable, democratic development through our partnership with the Association of Upper Egypt for Education and Development (AUEED).
Les Partenaires de l’Association de la Haute Égypte pour l’éducation et le développement (PACHE) is a registered, non-profit, non-partisan and secular organization committed to financing projects and activities that offer quality education to children, creating sustainable futures for the rural communities of Upper Egypt.
Values That Guide Our Work
Our values aren’t just principles we list—they’re the compass that guides every decision we make and every initiative we support:
Respect
We honor the dignity of every individual and community we serve. PACHE ensures respect is practiced among our volunteers and members, with outside entities, and toward the environment. We recognize that authentic development begins with profound respect for local knowledge and aspirations.
Solidarity
True change requires standing alongside communities, not acting for them. By developing a sense of personal and collective responsibility and through cooperative action with all concerned parties, PACHE builds solidarity with AUEED’s most disadvantaged people. We see our work not as charity, but as partnership in a shared vision for a more equitable world.
Partnership
We believe in the power of collaboration to create lasting impact. PACHE and AUEED combine their respective strengths and capabilities to achieve shared goals and advance our common mission of developing rural communities of Upper Egypt. We extend this collaborative spirit by building partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders to advance our cause.
Transparency
Trust is the foundation of everything we do. PACHE maintains transparency in management and decision-making processes and openness in relationships with donors and partners. We adhere to recognised standards in financial reporting, disclose our financial status and detailed activities on our website, and invite all our donors and sponsors to our yearly general assembly where our Board of Directors makes a point to be present and available to address questions or comments.
Our Governance Structure
Since our founding, PACHE has operated through a volunteer-driven structure that reflects our commitment to maximizing impact while minimizing overhead:
Membership
PACHE is a membership-led organization where individuals become members by contributing financially through donations, sponsorships, or by supporting our social activities. Members embrace our mission and are invited to deepen their involvement by becoming volunteers or joining the Board of Directors.
General Assembly
Our General Assembly comprises all active members who make up PACHE, acting in an individual and volunteer capacity. The assembly meets annually to discuss performance, elect the Board of Directors, and set the mandate for future activities—ensuring our work remains responsive to both member priorities and community needs.
Board of Directors
Our governing body consists of up to twelve members who meet at least six times yearly to guide PACHE toward its objectives. The Board oversees implementation of planned activities, negotiates legal contracts, and maintains efficient, accountable management. Several dedicated committees support the Board’s work.
Current Board Members:
Mona Dimitri – President
Hany Naguib – Vice-president
Alfred Dimitri – Secretary
Mina Santa – Treasurer
Members: Aïda Naguib, Ashraf Armanios, and Rania Nader
Volunteers
The heart of our organization lies in our dedicated volunteers, including Board members and supporting committees. These individuals implement planned activities, conduct fundraising, raise awareness about PACHE’s mission, develop strategic plans, create partnerships, and manage relationships with stakeholders across Canada, Egypt, and beyond.
Our Journey: 55 Years of Impact
Founded in 1969 by Canadians of Egyptian origin, PACHE celebrated 55 years of commitment and support to our partner AUEED in 2024. For over eight decades, AUEED has been devoted to empowering underprivileged communities in Upper Egypt through education and development programs.
From modest beginnings, PACHE has grown to become one of AUEED’s most important international partners and donors. Our history reflects our evolving understanding of how best to serve communities in Upper Egypt:
1969 – Every good thing has its beginning. In March 1969, following a meeting between Antoine Jammal, Henri Eid, and Georges Habashi, Canadians of Egyptian origin, “Les amis des écoles chrétiennes d’Égypte” was born as the Canadian wing of the Association of Upper-Egypt. At that time, approximately 30,000 Egyptians lived in Montreal, many of whom knew of Father H. Ayrout’s work in Egypt.
1982 – Publication of the first newsletter “Eux et nous,” which testified to how the movement worked for people’s liberation and community service while respecting all religious beliefs.
1984 – Organization changed its name to “Les partenaires de l’association chrétienne de la Haute-Égypte pour les écoles et la promotion sociale.”
1996 – The organization adopted its current name: “Les partenaires de l’association de la Haute-Égypte pour l’éducation et le développement (PACHE),” becoming a registered, non-partisan, and non-denominational charity.
2019 – With more than 1,000 members, PACHE celebrated 50 years of commitment and support to its partner AUEED.
2024 – PACHE marked its 55th anniversary, celebrating over five decades of cross-cultural partnership and thousands of lives transformed through education in Upper Egypt.
Join Our Community
When you support PACHE, your tax-deductible contribution creates direct impact for children in Upper Egypt while becoming part of a 55-year legacy of cross-cultural partnership and community development.