A NEW LEAF
EGYPT

Egyptian foundation El Nafeza was established in 2007 to revive traditional papermaking in Egypt - partly as a way of getting rid of agricultural wastes that are typically burned, resulting in choking black clouds. El Nafeza organises workshops in papermaking for disadvantaged young people (80 to 90 percent of its employees are deaf and mute). The Foundation has also established specialised training centres to teach the art and technique of high quality paper making from rice husks, Nile water lilies, and banana stalks. The handmade paper products are exhibited and sold both within Egypt and internationally.