GAMALIA (HISTORIC CAIRO)

 In cooperation with the Egyptian Swiss Development Fund (ESDF), Ministry of International cooperation, Cairo Governorate, Wakf Authority, Ministry of Environment, as well as American, Canadian, Finnish, German and Japanese support, a “Sustainable Development Demonstration Project in Gamalia” is being implemented (1999-2008) with emphasis on:
 

• Relocating nonpolluting workshops and shops from various deteriorated buildings in the area to the newly renovated Kahla complex.
 

• Constructing a Community Development center and a Training & Technological Upgrading center on the sites of El Kharoub wekala and El Rabae after their demolition.
 

• Upgrading the physical infrastructure of the demonstration area.

 
• Enhancing community participation and sense of belonging through promoting community organization, social networking and strengthening links between community and local government.

• Establishing a local organization sustainable development association in gamalia'(SDAG) to lead and coordinate future development efforts in Gamalia area.
 

• Capacity building of local organizations, community leaders and members of the specialized committees.
 

• Improving social, educational and cultural conditions of community members.
 

• Developing health and environmental consciousness in the demonstration area as well as initiating a Health Unit to serve the Community.
 

• Increasing economic opportunities of the community through provision of technical and vocational training and credit.

Physical Implementation Projects

1- FEDA's Workshops and Handicrafts Training Center :

       Renovation of Kahla Wekala  was completed in 2002:

·       Workshops , previously located  in Kharoub and Rabae demolished buildings were transferred to new sites in the renovated Kahla Wekala.

·       FEDA's program for handicrafts training  is also housed in this building (copper etching, silk screen printing, appliqué, leather work, carpet weaving , etc ).

2- FEDA's Center for Community Development :

FEDA's Center for Community Development, constructed at the Kharoub Wekala site, was inaugurated in 2005, housing a health unit, a computer center, a children's library and club, a women's cultural center, Naguib Mahfouz auditorium and classes for  illiteracy eradication as well as different social and educational activities.

3- FEDA'S CENTER FOR TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADING :

The building construction at the demolished El Rabae site has been completed in January 2008. It is currently being used for training technicians to repair and maintain household and business electronic and electrical devises and appliances .

Community Services

·        New homes for Kharoub Residents :

In cooperation with the Ministry of Housing, FEDA provided 13 families, previously residing at Kharoub wekala, appropriate housing at a new residential area (Dowika). The families pay a monthly rent of 25LE, for 40 years, after which the apartments belong to them. 

·        Antiquity Lovers Campaign :

FEDA, in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Antiquities organized a number of visits for a group of school children to raise their awareness of Islamic, Coptic and Phaeronic  antiquities at different sites in Cairo. The children learnt about the history and beauty of the Egyptian antiquities and were encouraged to keep the areas clean by collecting the garbage around them.

·        Health, Environment and Educational Activities :

-         Illiteracy alleviation classes.

-         Health and Environmental education seminars.

-         Antiquity awareness for school children (visits and workshops).

-          Children's activities (using art as a means for environmental  and cultural awareness )

-          Sorting and collection of garbage at the origin (different homes), followed by further sorting at Kahla Wekala

-          Health services

-          Handicrafts training

-          Educational support

-          Voluntary Health Visitors

-          Upgrading school environment (building maintenance)

Public Participation

·      Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) : in cooperation with CDS (Near East Foundation) proposed the following activities:

-          Renovation of shop facades  to be in harmony with the touristic atmosphere.

-          Removal of garbage dumps to places outside Gamalia.

-          Building old-age homes.

-          Set garbage boxes in each street.

-          Removal of the lemon market to another area.

-          Rebuilding of the existing deteriorated houses.

-          Renovating and reopening of the monuments for different visitors or activities.

·         Community Mobilization:

In order to interact with the community and ensure sustainability, FEDA:

-          Initiated a new local NGO: Sustainable Development Association for Gamalia (SDAG) .

-  Formed five "specialized committees" from members of the community with   representations from FEDA and the local NGO (SDAG). These committees are:

1.Health and Environment.

2.Workshops and crafts.

3.Youth and Education.

4.Women and Gender.

5.Infrastructure and Services.

   The Heads of these committees convene as a "Follow up" committee to select priorities for items to be discussed by the "District committee" which is chaired by the Head of Gamalia District (Hai Wasat) and membership of his technical aids as well as the chairmen of  FEDA and SDAG.