Eslam el-Dawy is working in the Western Desert in an oasis community that is home to indigenous Saharan Berber (Amazigh) tribes, the first known inhabitants of North Africa. Handicraft productions such as embroidery, carpentry, wool-making, pottery, and silver-working, practices passed down through generations over thousands of years, are being threatened by cultural extinction. Eslam seeks to preserve these traditional practices by training a strong youth base to master the handicrafts of their ancestors, to cultivate their artistic talents, and to develop unique designs inspired by Siwan traditions and continue their cultural development.
Eslam founded the Dayer Ma ydor Company in 2005, which provides employment opportunities for over one hundred youth as master craftspeople and established a market for local handmade Siwan products in the lucrative global market for handmade goods. Through his work, Eslam has revived Berber traditions for future generations to enjoy and founded income-generating activities for those who lack formal skills training.
Dayer Ma ydor expanded in April 2009 with the opening of the Siwan Handicrafts Center and Desert Library, which was funded in part by a grant from the Global Fund for Women. The Siwan community center serves as a classroom for young designers and craftspeople to introduce new technology and innovative designs, as well as a meeting place for seminars and video presentations on health, culture, and the environment. The library hosts over 1,200 adult and children's books on a range of topics, providing critical learning tools to the isolated community.
To Contact Eslam:
dayermaydor@gmail.com
Tel: +20 (0) 115652777