We Four in Egypt

Follow us as we explore Cairo and beyond

About

Ms. Four and the kids
I’m an American expat living and working in Cairo, Egypt, here with my two kids, both adopted from Ethiopia, and my husband, also from the US. We moved here in August, 2007, from College Town, USA. If you’d like to get in touch with me, feel free to leave a comment on the blog or email me at egypt dot four at gmail dot com.

9 Comments »

  1. Hello
    i am a brazilian woman and i found your blog because i was making a research about Egypt, and i need to know about ADOPTION …
    …i did not find any information about adoption system in Egypt, i don’t know if egiptians can adopted or not, i just know that people from other countrys can not adopted egiptians children.

    Could you help me with any information?

    Thank you
    Gos bless you
    Érika

    Comment by erika | 28 July 2008

  2. Erika, good question. I’ve been meaning to add some content about adopting from Egypt to this page. From what I understand, it’s impossible to do for non-Egyptians. Egyptians who are Christian may sometimes adopt Christian Egyptian orphans. In general, adoption is not recognized in Islam, so the procedure is more like permanent fostering for Muslim kids. But that’s about all I know–sorry I can’t be of more help.

    Comment by Ms. Four | 28 July 2008

  3. I finally added some info about adoption in Egypt to my adoption page: http://egypt4.wordpress.com/adoption/

    Comment by Ms. Four | 24 August 2008

  4. Hi Ms. Four

    Have asked some questions on your Thorntree address. At that stage was aware of an Ethiopian connection but didn’t know exactly what.

    Our family situation is quite different in some ways (not Egypt) but maybe similar in others. All mixed race families I know, when they are of obviously different races (e.g. white/coloured or white/asian), encounter more obstacles than families of simply different nationalities.

    Comments/advice/thoughts welcome.

    Rgds – Mark

    Comment by Mark | 12 September 2008

  5. Hi, perhaps I have the possibility to move to Cairo in a few months, and I’ve never been there. I have 3 kids (5,6 and 8 years old). Could you help me with any information about schooling, the quality of life there, the security. Thanks a lot.
    Carolina.

    Comment by Carolina | 1 December 2008

  6. Carolina, these are tough questions. Regarding security: we feel very safe here. Cairo has got to be one of the safest cities in the world, actually. Women can walk alone here late at night and it’s not a problem.

    The qualify of life is tough to answer. In some ways it’s good–we like our kids’ school, I live the safety, and we are comfortable financially–but Cairo lacks green space and the air here is very dirty. The traffic is terrible, and sidewalks are limited. So, it depends. The wealthier you are, the easier all of this will be.

    Regarding schools: that depends on your nationality and language, in part. For English, try Cairo American College and the British schools. All very good from what I hear.

    Mark, I never answered your question: yes, I think it can be challenging to be a transracial family, if you live someplace where it’s not common. I think in some places, like perhaps New York City, no one would bat an eye.

    Comment by Ms. Four | 2 December 2008

  7. Thanks very much for your answer. I’m from Argentina, but three years ago I moved to USA, so an American school for my kids will work out great. My husband it suppose to work in Giza, what neighborhood you think is going to be closer and with goods school, like Cairo American College. Thank you very much for your help

    Comment by Carolina | 2 December 2008

  8. Carolina, Giza is across the river from Cairo American College. CAC is in Maadi. You might find it easier for your husband to commute daily than for your kids to commute to school. There are a lot of Americans in Maadi.

    Here is the school website:
    http://www.cacegypt.org/

    You will want to get your kids’ applications asap in the new year. They do fill up, from what I’ve heard.

    Comment by Ms. Four | 2 December 2008

  9. Hello
    I am an American and currently living in Egypt. 22 years old. Studying
    medicine. I like photography, reading, and movies. If you are in cairo it would be nice to meet up with you.
    Take care.

    Comment by YS | 24 August 2009


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