EGYPT PROJECT

1^st/2^nd YEAR STUDENTS

The Blue Moon Animal Centre was started in 2002 by Monique Carrera, a Swiss lady and her Egyptian husband Salah Hassan Gad.M el.Karem. Today they have several volunteers and two Egyptian males working at the Centre plus they have two veterinarians, Dr Esam and Dr Charly who work at their Vet Clinic in Hurghada.

In 2007 the Centre moved to a large piece of desert where they constructed enclosures for the cats, dogs, birds, goats, sheep, donkeys and camels which now reside at the Centre.

In December 2014 Blue Moon had 300 animals at the Centre including 60 dogs and 60 cats. Most have either been taken from the streets or brought to the Centre by locals.

Blue Moon actively rehabilitates and re-homes as many animals as possible and those which are suffering too much are humanely put to sleep. Animals are re-homed in Egypt in local homes or they go to Europe. No animal will be sent to a European shelter, every animal must be living within a home environment.

The Blue Moon has some kennels for animals where the owners have gone on holiday and this provides income to support the Centre. They have their own Clinic where locals can bring their pets for treatment and they receive donations.

In the past the usual method of animal population control in Hurghada was poisoning but Monique has battled with the authorities and they have now agreed not to poison the animals but to give her the chance for a humane Trap/Neuter/Release programme.

Cats and dogs are taken from the streets and sterilised and after recovery they are returned to the same place. At the same time the dogs are vaccinated against rabies and their ears are tattooed and tagged so that the local people know that they are ‘safe’.

This programme happens irregularly at present but Blue Moon hope to increase this in the future.

WORKING DAY

Students will arrive at the Animal Centre from 8am and assist with the feeding, vaccinating, giving medicines, bottle feeding and anything else that may be necessary with all the residents of the Centre.

It will be possible on some afternoons for students to visit the animal clinic in Hurghada and assist the vets or help treat the animals which are in the clinic.

Your working day will usually finish between 5pm and 7pm depending on the clinic hours. However, students MUST be flexible as emergencies can never be planned for!!

On Thursday mornings the vet usually goes to the Animal Centre in the morning to give vaccinations, do bloods, check over any sick or injured animals etc

On Saturdays and Mondays the clinic is closed so Monday is your DAY OFF.

PROJECT DATES

Each project runs for 2 weeks. The project runs year round but not over Christmas or Easter. Only 2 students are accepted at any one time.

ARRIVAL DETAILS

Students should arrive at Hurghada Airport on a Monday and leave again on the Monday two weeks later. Flights go directly from Europe into Hurghada or via Cairo if you prefer.

Students arriving from other countries where flights do not arrive on a Monday can still apply and we can vary the arrival day.

TRANSFERS

Students will be met at Hurghada airport by a representative of Blue Moon and transferred to El Gouna to the accommodation (23km drive). Students will be taken on work days from El Gouna to the Animal Centre, at lunchtime to the clinic and then home in the evening to El Gouna.

ACCOMMODATION

Students will be accommodated in a self-catering one bedroom apartment in El Gouna, Egypt’s luxury resort. El Gouna is a purpose built development with a security gate and is therefore very safe and far from any troubles. There are certain rules in El Gouna whereby no-one is allowed to be harrassed or repeatedly annoyed by shopowners etc. Consequently it is a very safe area, one can walk around at night without a problem and even as a single woman you would not be approached or given any trouble.

The apartment has one bedroom with twin beds, a bathroom, a well equipped kitchen with washing machine, fridge freezer, oven and hob. It has tv/dvd’s, a telephone service for inside El Gouna and a lovely shared swimming pool right outside the door!! The apartment is within 10 minutes walking distance of DOWNTOWN and The Marina where there are plenty of shops and restaurants.

Students booking this project alone would have the option of being accommodated at the animal clinic in Hurghada where there is a one person small apartment with bedroom, lounge, bathroom and kitchen. It is very basic and as Monique and her husband live in the apartment upstairs it is also safe. It doesn’t have the benefit of a swimming pool or the luxury accommodation that is found in El Gouna but that is reflected in the price. Photos of this accommodation are available on request.

Single students wishing to stay in the El Gouna apartment instead can do so but a supplement applies.

FOOD

The cost of food is NOT included in the price of the project. Students can buy food from the various supermarkets around El Gouna or eat out in the many restaurants. A packed lunch can be taken daily or food bought in Hurghada for lunch.

INTERNET

There are some internet cafes in The Marina or in Downtown. Some restaurants have Wifi.

LAUNDRY

Sheets and towels are provided and will be washed at the end of your stay. Any washing to be done during your stay can be done yourselves by using the washing machine. There is even an iron and ironing board in the cupboard!

DAYS OFF

Your day off is Monday. El Gouna has boat trips, desert trips, water sports, golf, sub aqua, go karting and every type of sport imaginable! It’s also easy to do a day trip to Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings and temples. Cairo should be visited either before or after the project as there isn’t enough time to go there for a day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please note that in the summer months from May – September Egypt can be very hot and humid. July and August are the hottest months. The Pet Clinic operating rooms are airconditioned but you will be working outside at the Animal Centre. The accommodation also has airconditioning. If you do not like hot, sunny weather then avoid the hottest months.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Accommodation, transfers from and to the airport, transfers from and to the Animal Centre and Clinic, tuition and supervision by Blue Moon staff and vets, a donation to the Blue Moon Centre which helps buy suture materials, vaccinations etc.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Food, medical/travel insurance (please check the links for Insurance information), visas, excursions on days off

COSTS

• Please see our cost page for full information.

PLEASE READ THROUGH OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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