CAN Executive Committee Member Essam Khouzam dead

CBR Africa Network with great sorrow conveys to you the passing away of Mr. Essam Francis Khouzam on Tuesday May 3rd in Egypt.  Essam was a founding pillar at SETI Center- Caritas Egypt from the time of its establishment 30 years ago. He was the head of the CBR department at Caritas Egypt and had been working with Caritas since 1986.

The late Essam had a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Social Development and Social Change from St Francis university in Canada as well as diplomas in Education, Mental Health and Environmental education for persons with disabilities.

His passion for Community Based Rehabilitation saw him a pioneer in disability rehabilitation related work/activities, advocacy and empowerment of families within the CBR context. He was head of the department of Family Rehabilitation, department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and was until his passing away the head of the Community Based Rehabilitation department.

Essam was also a key figure and consultant for CBR activities locally within Egypt, regionally and internationally. He was also a board member of the Egyptian CBR Network and a chair of the Early Childhood Association in Cairo. He published three books during his time, two of them focussing on the empowerment of families within the CBR context. By the time of his death, he was serving a second term as a CAN EC member.

He will be greatly missed. May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace