The Egyptian Banking Institute EBI, recently announced the launch of a new initiative
called: “BASIRA”, that enables people with disabilities to enjoy a quality of life by
addressing their demanding needs and contributing to providing a better solution for their
everyday challenges. BASIRA initiative is launching the pilot phase by addressing the
Visually Impaired challenges during COVID-19.
BASIRA initiative is going to launch the first Pillar of the initiative in cooperation with
“Resala” and “AlNour wl Amal” Associations, in addition to “Dialogue in The Dark” project.
The pilot phase of the initiative facilitates access to educational programs for the blind and
the visually impaired who represent a main component of the educational system. This
comes within the framework of contributing to provide a better educational environment
that is smooth for visually impaired and blind students facing difficulties due to the spread
of the Covid-19, resulting in the closure of all educational institutions.
Mr. Abdel Aziz Nossier, Executive Director of the Egyptian Banking Institute said: “People
gain many experiences and skills throughout their life, but with difficulties like visual
impairment, it is challenging to experience them; parents and the community may not be
skilled enough to assist individuals with special abilities throughout these times, so it is our
responsibility to support the community and contribute to a better life for their children.”
“We have launched BASIRA’s first pillar to support visually impaired children and youth
with ages ranging from 14 to 21 years old through itss pilot phase.
Employees of the Egyptian Banking Institute will voluntarily prepare educational materials,
write and record audio lessons, in addition to the introduction of a sound library that will
help blind and visually impaired students live a more independent life. Lessons will be
printed using Braille printers in partnership with the “Resala”, “Alnourwalamal” and the
“Dialogue in The Dark” Project, and then sent to students,” added Mr. Nossier.
The Executive Director of the Banking Institute confirmed that “this initiative comes within
the framework of supporting youth and children with special abilities in underserved areas,
to help them with distant learning, due to the current circumstances brought by the
Coronavirus. The program will further grow to include all type of disabilities and ages in the
future. The first stage starts with visually impaired in greater Cairo, to be followed by the
Delta governorates in the second stage and then Upper Egypt governorates at the third
stage.”
Mr. Nossier pointed out that the Egyptian Banking Institute is keen to cooperate with civil
society associations and institutes that need support, hoping that with the solidarity of
efforts, “BASIRA” initiative will have left a noticeable change in the daily lives of the people
with disabilities and especially the blind and visually impaired students of Egypt during the
first phase of the initiative.
Mr. Nosseir added “Supporting students in their educational programs is not our only objective. ” BASIRA” initiative is an ongoing 5-year project and once this crisis is over – hopefully soon – the initiative activities will fully include community engagement, capacity-building, community development, community-based participatory research, and social innovation management.