(MENAFN- Daily News Egypt) Batn El-Bakara, in the heart of Cairo, is where men spend their days performing magic on standard mud. Each time the tray turns, their tender touches shape all sorts of artefacts. But with technology changing everything, some crafts are improved whilst others are demolished. The pottery craft and market in Egypt has ceased to be a national micro industry, and Batn El-Bakara remains forgotten.
"Batn El-Bakara turned into a gloomy place and the pottery makers were jobless. Enactus British University in Egypt (BUE) has seen the enviable chance to revive the place and give it back its glory," said Ibram Azab, team leader.
A team of 10 university students took the initiative of listening to the residents' demands, and worked on returning the area to its former glory. The area's main problem was the craftsmen's outdated techniques that limited the quality and creativity of their outcome.
Professional training was inevitable in order to introduce Batn El-Bakara to the new century with all of its demanding technicalities.
"The first phase took about 50 days, pottery makers regained their gifts in producing pottery but way better than they used to. After the training they were able to produce magnificent products with unique designs. This was arranged in 20 effective workshops that produced modern products," said Azab.
After completing phase one, the participating residents, who were mainly men between the ages of 25 and 45, had to face a bigger challenge. While they were all essentially gifted with the craft itself, marketing their final products was never their point of strength.
The Enactus team initiated phase two right away, as their vision was not only about improving the outcomes, but also about a full business cycle including marketing and sales.
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