Think and Do - About Us

	About Us

	Background	Tawik George, Founder of Think and Do
	Think and Do is registered as a ministry of the Evangelical Fellowship in Egypt, under the General Evangelical Council. It has also registered a NGO under the Ministry of Social Solidarity. It cooperates with other organizations in order to extend the work. Think and Do was founded in 1995 by Tawfik George, an Egyptian Christian leader who had travelled extensively in the villages of Upper Egypt, teaching people how to discover their skills and to find creative ways to raise themselves out of poverty. He shared with a Swedish friend named Lars-Göran Gustafson, a businessman involved in development work, his vision to help young people in Egypt to set up their own micro businesses. A local board was formed, and in October 1995 Think and Do began to operate. The immediate objective was to help needy people to support themselves and their families through micro enterprise, and the first loans for micro enterprise were given early in 1996, with funds from Sweden. Vocational training courses were introduced at the end of 1998, and the programme grew to include courses in many different skills at a residential training centre, as well as local courses around the country in sewing, hairdressing and other selected vocations. The training sector offers courses in vocational skills to equip people to earn their living, and career development courses such as computer skills and administration. Over the years Think and Do has also become increasingly involved in community development in villages of Upper Egypt, seeking to make an impact on the lives of individuals and local communities by raising awareness of health and social issues and offering a range of practical services, such as literacy classes, and water and sanitation. Think and Do has also become active in children’s work, such as establishing preschools, and in spiritual outreach and discipleship in villages and deprived urban areas. Wherever possible the ministry is carried out in partnership with local churches and Christian organizations. The work is supported by donors inside and outside Egypt; by individuals, embassies, churches and charitable organizations.	Tawik George, Founder of Think and Do

	Think and Do’s Vision
	That the families benefiting from Think and Do’s services in Egypt will live at peace with God, with themselves and with others, and in good health, and that at least one member of the family will have a steady income; and that the members of these families will be educated, and live in a home where the basic necessities are available.
	Mission Statement
	Think and Do seeks to achieve the comprehensive development of the target families inmarginalized rural and urban areas through its experience, expertise, tools, resources and relationships in the spiritual, social and development fields. This will be achieved through direct development and spiritual programmes, and in partnership with local and international organizations.
	Beneficiaries
	The target group is men, women and children living in deprived rural and urban areas. The target group for vocational training courses is women and men aged 18 to 35 who are unemployed, or living on a low income. Some activities are specifically aimed at empowering women and assisting female headed households. Every year thousands of people benefit from the training activities, thousands of households from the community development programme, and tens of thousands from the spiritual programmes.

	Facilities	Present CEO of Think and Do
	Think and Do’s head office is in Cairo. It has an office in Minya, and other small local offices in some of the villages and towns of Upper Egypt. In 2004 Think and Do was granted 100 acres of land approximately 80 km from Cairo, on which it is developing a complex known as the “Oasis”. The Oasis is already in use for vocational training, for conferences and retreats, and for agriculture. There are plans for a purpose-built vocational training institute, and to develop sports and camping facilities and build an amphitheatre. One of the long-term aims is that the Oasis will generate income to support some of Think and Do’s other ministries.
	Administrative structure
	Think and Do is currently governed by an Administration Board, and is planning to form a General Assembly which will in future elect the Board from among its members. There is also a Board of Advisors, who offer counsel in their areas of expertise from time to time. The General Director (Think and Do’s CEO) reports to the Administration Board. Sector and department managers report to the General Director, who is assisted by a Deputy Director.