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Egyptian kids learn empathy through virtual travel

A Cairo-based intercultural community space picks up from where the local education gap has left by teaching children empathy and multiculturalism.
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A blue and green cake shaped like a globe with an edible plane flying over it is at the center of a room where a group of cheerful guests, adults and children, dance and hit a pinata. The party, whose theme is travel and multiculturalism, marks the fifth anniversary of Safarni, a project that aims to teach diversity to underprivileged children through intercultural and imaginary traveling workshops.

Created by Raphaelle Ayach and hosted by the civil society group Etijah, Safarni means “take me traveling” in Arabic. It aims to teach local children respect for Egypt’s and the world’s cultural diversity. Since its opening on Oct. 5, 2012, Safarni has organized hundreds of imaginary weeklong trips to foreign lands, using expats of the countries based in Cairo, food of the countries and decorations and knickknacks that belong to the country. Using nongovernmental organizations and refugees or expats who were only too glad to talk about their countries, Safarni has created the ambiance of many foreign lands.

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