El Gamaleya is a Fair Trade Organization
El Gamaleya aims to revive the ancient Islamic arts of old medieval Cairo by supporting and patronizing its visual and cultural heritage. We intend to do this by holding ourselves to these standards:
No Discrimination
No underage exploitation or child labor.
No gender-based discrimination: equal opportunities are provided for all
Safety
By providing a work environment where artisans can be best supported in making their artwork.
Profit Shares
Part of the profit made by facilitating the trade of these crafts will be dedicated to promoting the education and revival of the ancient Islamic arts as well as supporting the local community.
Skill Development
By providing education to current and future art workers, and fulfilling the role of an educational institution
This is how the name 'Gîte d’Artisanat Equitable' came to be.
The future of this type of art will need support from women. We hope that they will become more involved in the production of these crafts - not only to help the crafts survive but also to innovate, improve and make them better.
Historically, manual trades were passed down from father to son - creating a lack of opportunities for women to become part of the tradition and to leave their mark on it. We hope that by providing accessible education that is available to all, we could start the process of breaking this cycle.
We want to see a revolution that corrects how women were excluded from this kind of job in the 1800 and 1900s. It is now time for Egyptian craftswomen to shine.
Our Mission
Economic Sustainability:
We aim to facilitate the export and trade of the crafts, taking into account that most of the crafts manufactured are not easily transportable (due to new flight regulations). We also aim to be a reputable learning institution that engages in frequent and active collaboration with art schools.
Hosting of International and Local Fine Art Schools and Academic Institutions:
Allowing foreign students (of Egyptian origin or otherwise), to come and receive training in our Crafts & Arts Training Center that can be recognized as part of or a supplement to their official curriculum. This will be a great way to foster cultural exchange and sharing of ideas that is necessary in our globalized and volatile macro environment.