Somia Amer founded the Sahara Association in 2009 to protect the artistic and cultural heritage of the Al Wadi Al Jadeed region. She then moved her work to Faisal (Giza), an area previously overlooked by most developmental and entrepreneurial organizations. In Faisal, Sahara acts as an artistic training center, developing the skills of young people and children through workshops covering a variety of fields including music, illustration, and writing.
For adults, Sahara’s training courses work to teach economically viable skills such as traditional handicraft, neglected by many in recent generations. Having taught the basic production methods, Sahara then helps their trainees create self employment opportunities by giving them the tools to manage their resources and market their products successfully.
By understanding the social and cultural characteristics of the area, Sahara is enabling a cadre of craftsmen and women to build a better future for themselves and their families.