Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Education
Education is the most powerful tool we have to break cycles of poverty in Upper Egypt.
When a child receives quality education, they develop not just knowledge, but the socio-economic, psychological, and cultural foundations needed to transform their life trajectory. In Upper Egypt’s rural communities, where public services are often inadequate or absent, access to quality education becomes the critical difference between opportunity and continued marginalization.
The absence of basic services in these communities—particularly education—has driven migration to overcrowded urban areas, where families often become “socially rootless, culturally isolated, politically powerless and economically marginalized.” By bringing quality education directly to rural villages, we help preserve community bonds while creating pathways to development and self-reliance.
For over 80 years, the Association of Upper Egypt for Education and Development (AUEED) has maintained an uninterrupted mission of providing quality education in Upper Egypt’s poorest communities. We believe education goes beyond academic knowledge—it disseminates values of peace, tolerance, solidarity, citizenship, and respect for differences, forming generations of children who contribute positively to their communities and Egyptian society.
A Unique Educational Model for Rural Communities
PACHE partners with AUEED to support a unique educational model that addresses the specific needs of rural Upper Egyptian communities:
- Extensive reach: AUEED owns and manages 35 schools serving 15,000 children annually (up from 12,500), making it Egypt’s largest provider of Low-Cost Private Schooling with coverage from Minya to Luxor
- Focus on disadvantaged children: Our schools prioritize those with the most limited access to quality education
- Holistic development: We cultivate basic knowledge, practical skills, and values of openness, initiative, and responsibility
- Teacher excellence: Regular training workshops ensure educators can deliver quality instruction that forms students socially, morally, psychologically, and culturally
- Community engagement: We actively involve parents through regular meetings and Parents/Teachers’ Associations or Boards of Trustees
- Quality assurance: Since 2010, AUEED has pursued formal accreditation for its schools through the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education (NAQAAE)
This approach has made AUEED schools vital centers of community development, providing far more than basic education—they have become engines of transformation for entire villages.
Meeting Today’s Financial Challenges
AUEED’s funding model has evolved to ensure both accessibility and sustainability:
Evolution of the Funding Model
- For many years, AUEED operated on a tuition-free system supported by international donors
- Facing decreasing international resources and increasing enrollment from some middle-class families, AUEED introduced a fair-tuition system in 2003
- This transition was carefully managed through scholarships and partial scholarships based on families’ economic status
Rising Operational Challenges
- In 2014, due to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound and new labor laws, school costs increased by 230%
- Costs reached 58.2 million EGP in 2021/2022 compared to 25 million EGP in 2014/2015
- By 2022/2023, total education costs reached 71 million EGP
Strategic Sustainability Measures
- AUEED has raised tuition in more advantaged villages and created income-generating activities
- An Education Endowment Fund has been established for some schools
- Tuition revenues now cover 82% of costs (58 million EGP)
- A funding gap of 13 million EGP must be covered through donations and support
Your Tax-Deductible Contribution Makes a Difference
- All donations to PACHE are fully tax-deductible
- Your support helps bridge the 18% funding gap in educational costs
- Even small contributions combine to create significant impact
Current Project Objectives
- Provide educational scholarships to 440 underprivileged children in Sohag schools (Kom Gharib and Garagos)
- Ensure continued access to quality education for the most vulnerable students
Through PACHE’s support, AUEED continues to make quality education accessible to thousands of children who would otherwise be left behind. By partnering with us, you help provide the foundation upon which entire communities can build stronger futures.