In western Egypt in the middle of the Libyan Desert roda lies the fascinating Siwa oasis surrounded

In western Egypt in the middle of the Libyan Desert roda lies the fascinating Siwa oasis surrounded by sand dunes, plateaus, salt and fresh water lakes and genomfluten of babbling brooks. Siwa history goes back to the pharaonic period, the Greeks and Romans, and to himself Alexander the Great, who is said to have been there to consult an illustrious oracle. In the many "gardens" crowding date palms with citrus and olive trees. The dwelling houses have an ancient patina and siwabornas primary means of transportation are still small träkärror pulled by donkeys. The carts are sometimes equipped with benches and soft top and then called for "taxi". The contrast to the air-conditioned coaches, who will in increasing numbers, are enormous. I've got to know Siwa Oasis by Christina Rinaldo, who in turn "ended" in which ten years ago in search of ancient weaving techniques, when she reconstructed Tutankhamen more than 4,000-year-old clothes. What is not modern machines managed to accomplish, could Bedouin women in the desert outside Siwa of ancient tradition roda still. Tunikornas exquisite embroidery, women accounted inside the Siwa. The result was eventually exhibit "Tutanchamun's Wardrobe" who have returned recently from Alexandria, Boras after his tour around the world.
It's easy to lose your heart in Siwa and that Christina has done, so much so that she intends to settle there and "coils in the desert," as she calls them, have seen one after the other development project realized, thanks her marvelous be dynamic. For example, did the military doctors at the hospital is not so much about women and children and they survived not always 35 mil long trip to Marsa Matrou the Mediterranean, where help could be obtained. Now collaborates Care University of Borås with the University roda of Cairo in a fruitful projects. The water in the oasis, it is useful to drink? Another project should be launched to investigate this. Continuing education for young women after compulsory roda schooling is by no means self-evident. In Siwa is a "Training Center", for training in traditional techniques, such as weaving, embroidery, roda wickerwork, etc. Better quality of materials is necessary in order to be able to dispose roda of the products and here comes Christina in again with his contacts and his knowledge . A donor-funded projects where "Fair Trade", "Fair Transport" is the slogan and no "expensive" middlemen are, is under full development.
When I fall 2006 ended Siwa with my husband Peter, we experienced the "heat" in more ways than one. Christina's "buddies in the desert" also became ours. The dinners with their families became unforgettable roda and also the experience of nature. Still, I get text messages from there and I am delighted every time. Imagine that someone in the middle of the Sahara Desert wondering how I'm doing!
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is an international network of women educators and Boras are Chi-kretsen.Vid our Christmas party was sold Christmas cards entitled "Siwa friends - traditional direct assistance" and the result was SEK 10 000. When the money reached the Siwa had grown to 30,000 by contributions from Textile History Institute and the Governor of Marsa Matrou; the region's capital. The money went directly to the needy families for the purchase of such food and clothing. "Fair trade - no middleman!" After my contact with "buddies" and with the enthusiastic support of Chi's members were also we are engaged in what we call "direct roda assistance". In Siwa is a few hundred families, who are so poor that they can not pay school fees for their children. Despite this, these children in school. For this to happen pays families who have a little better off economically two- or triple tuition fees. The rest, the individual schools bear, affecting their resources, in terms of quality, teacher salaries, school supplies, books, etc. There was clearly a need!
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Ingela I work at the University of Borås in the Student Support, which in turn belongs to the Student Services. roda I am a teacher of English and Swedish roda and have specialized in reading and writing difficulties / dyslexia. View my complete profile