Egypt Independent: Parenting

Style Treasure celebrates Mother’s Day

Amany Aly Shawky — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:58:00 +0000

Last Saturday, a team from the online boutique Style Treasure celebrated Mother’s Day at Sofitel Cairo El Gezira Hotel with a festive bazaar, offering a number of ideas for presents in all price ranges.

Despite the vast space and numerous exhibitors, however, items were rather similar and innovation seemed scarce.

For example, several exhibitors had oversized, flowy jersey tops and that were unfortunately overpriced. The only designer that stood out was Amina K, but the young designer was late setting up her booth, and again her merchandise was pricey.

Similarly, the jewelry designers had little new to offer. Items seemed pretty much alike from booth to booth. Sadly, skulls, peace signs and hands of Fatima still seem to dominate the accessories scene.

Home accessories were a particular attraction for visitors. Joud’s Mother’s Day collection is simple and beautiful. Several designs were on display, and the range of matching trays, bed tables, coaster, mugs and cushions covered most budgets.

Plexi & More was next with a convenient and innovative collection of trays, serving plates, jewelry, makeup and cutlery boxes. The trays are definitely a good present — a big tray would cost LE400, while a medium-sized one would cost LE360.

Turath came forward with its usual collection of colored glasses with silver cuffs. Its signature piece this year is a carved silver plates stand with six small tea glasses on top of it. The item costs LE680.

My favorite piece was Lara’s Crafts’ colored copper tray with Mahmoud Darwish’s seminal poetry, reading, “I long for my mother’s bread, my mother’s coffee and my mother’s touch.” The tray costs LE230.

If your mother loves writing, Scribble offers a wide range of notebooks and agendas, as well as a to-do list notebook and a recipe book. The stationery items are colorful with creative designs, and offered at affordable prices — between LE29 and LE45.

One of the best, and most underrated, exhibitors was Helcometals, whose booth was a feast for the eye. Their wide range of cutlery, trays, serving plates, glasses and cups was stunning.

Prices range between LE200 for a small tray, all the way to LE880 for a two-tier, silver-plated cookie server. The Royal collection is simply exquisite.

All items can be viewed at www.style-treasure.com.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent's weekly print edition.

Dope distractions: Can sport keep children away from drugs?

Nevine El Shabrawy — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:05:00 +0000

We often believe that getting children involved in sports will keep them away from smoking, drinking and doing drugs. Without much evidence, save the powers of distraction and peer pressure, many parents year after year accompany their kids to sporting clubs around town to cater to their practice times and keep them in one sport or another.

“There are truths and myths to this assumption,” says Dr. Amir Fathallah, a pediatrician who practices in Maadi.

Fathallah explains that it may actually be parents who are into sports who keep children out of drugs.

“Parents who go to the club or take their children to sports practices are also much more aware of their child’s behaviors,” Fathallah says.

While these children may be as likely to try drugs as any other children, their parents’ constant presence makes the task that much more difficult. In fact, Fathallah points out that a survey of 12- to 17-year-olds found that teens left unsupervised three or more days per week were three times more likely to use illegal drugs.

“Other factors come into play as well,” explains Hany Taher, a physical trainer at a gym in Mohandiseen. Taher says that when young athletes try alcohol and smoking, their metabolism heightens the effects of the drugs and makes them sick more easily.

“It’s harder for athletes to perform when they’ve been doing drugs or getting drunk the night before,” explains Taher.

Many local groups encourage sports for children, including Maadi’s Youth Soccer League, which involves parents and volunteers in coaching children and takes fees to pay for field rental and uniforms.

“YSL is a great environment for sports with a little competition, but not enough to kill the fun,” says Jim Davis, a parent and assistant coach.

Although the season is short, a couple of hundred children join the girls, boys and co-ed teams each fall.

A study done on sports participation and health-related behaviors among US youth in 2000 clearly states that adolescents involved in sports are more likely to follow “positive behaviors,” such as eating well, and avoiding “negative behaviors,” such as cigarette smoking.

“My son takes soccer twice a week, tennis on the weekends and tae kwon do on Tuesdays,” says Salma Sherif, 43.

Although it means Sherif has to be there for every one of these practices, she thinks it’s worth it.

“A couple of his friends were recently caught cheating in school,” says Sherif. “I think what he’s learned in sports will keep him from doing that.”

And yet is there any real correlation? With bicyclist Lance Armstrong’s confession about using drugs, the report on Australia’s swim team, and even local gyms and the obsession with steroids, it seems that even sports can lead to drugs.

“There is a difference between being interested in sports and competing professionally,” explains Fathallah.

While the pediatrician believes one is healthy, he is quick to point out that grooming young children for competitions nationally and internationally can lead down an entirely different path.

“If a child has a talent, it’s hard to turn away, but the pressure parents put on children to exceed in competitions can be harmful,” Fathallah says.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent’s weekly print edition.

Building blocks: Children learn to see the world through architecture

Heba Helmy — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 11:56:00 +0000

Mini Architect, a program designed to help children master daily life skills and function more effectively, hopes to help them “see the world through architecture.”

“The program isn’t necessarily about preparing kids to become future architects, but to get them acquainted with architecture from a new perspective and with new outcomes,” says Rania al-Basty, one of Mini Architect’s three founders.

Influenced by her own experiences, Basty, along with longtime friends Amira al-Sherif and Rania Nassar, decided to team up in April 2011 and use their experiences to come up with an architectural curriculum based on a hands-on learning process.

“We noticed that our work as architects has positively impacted our own children, and they were eager to explore more about the basis of architecture and processes of design,” Basty recounts.

This was when they had the idea to open children’s minds to their surroundings since, Basty says, the country lacks this beneficial type of study for little ones.

While acquiring an inside view of the profession, children learn observation, listening, cooperation, negotiation and decision-making skills that enable them to more easily comprehend the culture and community they live in.

Mini Architect offers an umbrella program that encompasses a wide spectrum of architectural principals and techniques, split into four age groups: from 4 to 6, 6 to 8, 8 to 10 and 10 to 12. Each standalone workshop lasts about two hours. Kids are able to understand the topic no matter when they start doing the workshops.

The workshops familiarize children with different architecture-related topics and include sessions titled “Shapes and Patterns,” “Structures,” “Build Your Town,” “Architecture Through Senses,” “Building Materials,” “Measurements and Proportions” and “Earth-Friendly Design.”

In the “Shapes and Patterns” workshop, children learn to recognize the simple forms of geometric shapes and how they contribute to the overall appearance of buildings. They spot what shapes have been employed in designing the surrounding architecture, such as windows (square), doors (rectangular) and tower tops (triangles).

The “Earth-Friendly Design” workshop tackles a different architectural angle that conveys a meaningful, environmental message.

“It is all about how good design can help us to use our natural resources and preserve our natural environment,” Basty explains. “We teach them that solar panels on top of buildings are used to collect energy from the sun for heating and also about using windmills to generate electricity.”

In the “Build Your Town” workshop, kids are introduced to a community’s physical elements to understand the components of their architectural environment. They also get to know three-dimensional forms and try to apply them by creating a simplified town model.

To work on observation skills, the “Architecture Through Senses” workshop engages the children’s five senses with vibrant colors, different textures of architectural materials and eye-catching building designs.

Basty says paint colors play an essential role in triggering emotional responses, such as red, which stimulates a feeling of enthusiasm. Materials can express mood; for instance, wood can convey a sense of warmth.

“Throughout the workshops, kids discover their surroundings, appreciate the value of good design in the creation of a high-quality built environment, get inspired, and then start to create their own masterpieces with their hands,” says Basty.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent’s weekly print edition.

Engaging young minds: Innovative, themed workshops expand children’s horizons

Heba Helmy — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:26:00 +0000

There has been a noticeable rise in instructional workshops for children in Egypt over recent years, designed to deepen their intellectual, social, emotional and physical skills through engagement in meaningful, artistic activities. 2012 has seen a widening range of workshops that have introduced innovative and themed classes that encourage young people’s creative exploration.

Adli Rizkallah graffiti course

The revolutionary graffiti that sprung up on Cairo’s streets since the 25 January revolution is the main inspiration behind the recent launch of Adli Rizkallah Art’s course for teens.

The rise of graffiti since the revolution, on the walls of Mohamed Mahmoud Street and across the country, has attracted a lot of attention. Dalia Rizkallah, founder of Adli Rizkallah Art program, argues that street art holds much more than political processes.

“Graffiti helps young participants convey meaningful ideas or messages, whether social, environmental or political, through demonstrating their artistic skills,” says Rizkallah.

This course gives students in-depth background in graffiti techniques and prominent artists, as well as its history and functions. However, Rizkallah says drawing skills are not a must for participants.

“Some people just write a word, not necessarily a painting, to express themselves. So, it is all about having a sense of art, whether colors or calligraphy font, with which you can create your own piece of art,” Rizkallah explains.

Participants engage in hands-on activities to get acquainted with the concepts of teamwork and cooperation. All of the courses — inspired by the work and attitude of late artist Adli Rizkallah, Dalia Rizkallah’s father — seek to instil a love for creativity in children.

“Students work in groups to choose the theme they are interested in. Then, each one adds their own personal touch to the painting,” Rizkallah says.

The workshops take place at Diwan bookstore’s Heliopolis branch, Designopolis on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road and My Gym in Heliopolis.

Big Brain Academy

Big Brain Academy is a center that offers all kinds of cognitive and educational services for children who struggle with learning to read and processing information.

The 72-day program is based on brain training, which fosters the student’s core ability to develop cognitive skills including memory, attention, sensory processing, and reasoning.

“The brain is a complex network of nerve cells that can respond to learning challenges by engaging in specifically designed exercises so that the child can accomplish learning or thinking tasks easier and faster,” says Maysa Abdal-Latif, founder of BBA.

The intensive program is divided into two types of classes tutored by a certified brain trainer coach. While the first class is based on brain games working on stretching the children’s imagination to improve the accuracy of recall, the second course focuses on interesting computer games to build quicker processing.

The program provides one-on-one tutoring classes to cater to the learning challenges of each student.

“The student is the focus of attention in this program. Consequently, the neural development happens so fast that kids see changes in themselves and experience soaring self-esteem and a huge boost in motivation,” Abdel-Latif says.

Besides cognitive development therapy, all children enrolled in the program also benefit from speech and language therapy, behavior management therapy, and social skills development sessions.

Classes are held daily 6-9 pm, 90 Ahmed Orabi Street in Mohandiseen.

Teddy Tennis

Aimed at injecting fun into a professional, educational, and challenging tennis experience, Teddy Tennis was born.

Teddy Tennis provides a chance for children to engage in unique sporting activities that integrate music, stories, and illustrations revolving around teddy bear characters.

Before starting an activity, kids are shown a picture of the tennis skill they are about to learn or a game they are about to play. The trainer then plays the songs that will accompany the game so that the children can become familiar with the music and the rhythm. Utilizing the visual and the auditory senses stimulates children and enhances their ability to master the movements being taught.

“The teddy bear characters pique children’s interest in the sport and accelerate the learning process,” says Christopher Larter, a British national who brought the Teddy Bear franchise to Egypt last October.

“So, after very few sessions, children can already do both forehands and backhands; it is quite a sight to see a three-year-old hitting solid shots over the net.”

Teddy Tennis is currently offered at the Community Services Association in Maadi on Fridays. The program has six levels, each one with 10 sessions, open to children from age two and half to six.

The Treehouse

At the Treehouse workshop, young people practice the basics of the art of folding paper with the professional expertise of Mohamed al-Sherbiney. The art of origami or paper-folding is used as a tool to teach children how to be accurate, patient and have an artistic eye, as well as a sense of accomplishment, by following step-by-step instructions to come out with their own pieces.

Children ages 4-15 can attend the two-hour workshop at 3 pm on Fridays in Zamalek’s Sequoia restaurant.

Nutrition in disguise: Nibblies hides the yucky foods in snacks

Sarah ElMeshad — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:16:00 +0000

Habiba Omar’s son is “a horrible eater,” she says. At a year and a half, he would only eat biscuits and snacks, refusing fruits and vegetables entirely.

The need to keep her son healthy pushed Omar to explore out-of-the-box options to ensure that her son was getting food with nutritional value. That’s when Nibblies, Omar’s home-cooking business, was born.

Omar offers snacks and desserts, all made with nutritious ingredients. The vegetable and chicken nuggets and the oatmeal cookies are the most popular.

The oatmeal cookies are five crunchy oatmeal cookies, also available with banana or ginger flavors. The nuggets come in packs of six, either star-shaped chicken or vegetable.

In the name of research, Nibblies came into my home in an effort to alleviate morning lunchbox preparation drama.

Adding a brownie to my 5-year-old’s lunchbox was a much easier decision knowing it was made of spinach. Brownies with spinach may sound odd, but with a combination of blueberries and dark chocolate, the spinach taste is thoroughly masked.

Nibblies’ cookies are sold in packs.

The portions may seem small, but the nutrients make them rich and filling. Nibblies also offers lemon and apple-carrot cookies.

Omar usually bakes her cookies with honey and brown sugar, and occasionally with a small amount of white sugar. To remain nutritious, most of the snacks have hidden fruits, vegetables and other ingredients.

Ingredients are written on the menu, but it is still best when ordering to clarify any allergy you or your child may have.

A small jar of pumpkin spread can be a lifesaver for children who insist on having a Nutella sandwich for school. The sweetness of the pumpkin spread on brown bread is an equally pleasing and more nutritious option.

Nibblies also offers sweet potato cookies and sweet potato brownies. The warmth of the root vegetable makes a tasty snack for chocolate lovers.

Delivery days are limited to Monday in 6th of October, Tuesday in Mohandiseen and Zamalek, and Wednesday in Maadi, Heliopolis and Nasr City. Pickup orders can be made anytime, by phone or on the Nibblies Facebook group.

The snacks arrive tasting fresh, and need to be properly stored at room temperature or refrigerated to remain so. Keep your snacks out of intense heat to keep them fresh for the week, which is the expiry date for most of Nibblies’ products.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent’s weekly print edition.

A kaleidoscope of fun: A new children’s magazine hopes to educate and stimulate youngsters

Nahla Samaha — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:11:00 +0000

Dina Elabd is a soft-spoken 22-year-old with an impressive, goal-driven vision. She’s tall with a surprisingly composed demeanor — one usually established with age and experience.

Despite her unseasoned age, this young entrepreneur knows what she loves, and what she values in life.

“I have always loved education,” Elabd says, “always been really passionate about this. So I’ve taken the first step, and I definitely want to continue in that direction, whether through this project or through something else.”

The project is Kaleidoscope children’s magazine, which targets those aged 10 to 14 — specifically those who attend English-language schools. The first issue was distributed for free in bookstores, cafes, school bookstores and fast-food outlets.

The magazine will be sold for a small fee by the second issue and subscriptions are also offered.

“There needs to be income for growth. I don’t want to keep it small; I want it to grow,” she says.

Kaleidoscope is an initiative undertaken by Elabd and a few university colleagues.

“Everyone working on this is Egyptian,” she proudly proclaims. “I feel bad that there is so much imported media. Particularly anything in English, you have to get from abroad, and there’s so much talent here, so I’m glad that this magazine is a platform for that.”

The mechanical engineering major also has a minor in literature. It was in her literature classes that she met other writers and that is where the spark ignited.

Elabd and her colleagues spearheaded a children’s magazine aimed at “stimulating creativity and imagination.” After months of research, and finding a lack of a locally produced children’s English-language magazine in the market, Kaleidoscope was created.

“Our magazine is less expensive than books, so that’s a plus for parents. Plus it is produced monthly, so you can rely on continuity,” explains Elabd.

The publication is designed to appeal to different interests.

“Some readers like pictures and drawings, others like the way words play out, and some may like a certain character and will follow them. It’s different for everyone, so I try to create diversity in the magazine — hence the name Kaleidoscope,” she says.

It’s not every day that you find a university senior interested in children’s education, but Elabd thinks it runs in her family. Her mother owns a nursery where Elabd has often helped out with story time and playtime.

“I love kids,” she says. “I like talking to them and connecting with them on an equal level.”

Combining her passion for writing and her love of children has resulted in a magazine that has been more than well-received by parents. Elabd has been receiving glorious reviews and words of encouragement from parents of children who become engaged with the publication.

Among her literature classes at the American University in Cairo was a children’s literature class. There, Elabd learned about books written for children, children’s psychology and how to write for children.

“Most children feel betrayed by an author if there isn’t a moral in the end — not necessarily one that is spelled out, but they like to feel there’s a point in the end to why the protagonist did what they did,” Elabd says, drawing on her experiences working with children.

Kaleidoscope begins with two short stories.

“The whole point of the magazine is short stories,” says Elabd. “I really, really believe in reading.”

The first short story varies in each issue, but the second is part of a series titled “Farah & Fares,” written by Elabd herself. The series is about Egyptian siblings who live in Mohandiseen.

In the magazine’s first issue, “The History of Chocolate” inaugurates the history section. Certain words are highlighted in red, and are to be used in the word search accompanying the article.

Elabd is determined to make the magazine interactive, which is why she has included a word games section. She also intends for it to improve children’s vocabulary.

The magazine’s “Try It” section offers readers different activities, such as recipes, arts and crafts, fashion, sports and science experiments.

Children are also encouraged to contribute to the magazine. They can send stories, drawings or pictures of activities they have attempted from “Try It.”

“When we publish the readers’ contributions in upcoming issues, they can feel proud of themselves,” Elabd says.

The magazine includes film and book reviews, with books provided by Diwan Bookstores, followed by two advice columns written by doctors, including one by a psychologist who answers young readers’ questions.

“This section gives the magazine credibility, and it also offers important advice for parents,” says Elabd.

Elabd has also organized a tour to promote the magazine, offering children free activities including a crafts class taught by Dalia Rizkallah at Diwan, ballet and budokon classes at Fitstop, and a fashion class at Challenger Activity Center.

Leaving no opportunity unexploited, this entrepreneur has also included coupons on the last page of every issue. They can only be used by subscribers, who receive their own coupon card with their subscription.

The magazine’s partners offer coupons for free cupcakes, a free art class and a free dance class, among others.

Not many 22-year-olds would brave the bureaucratic aggravation of setting up a legitimate business, but Elabd had the support of some very sharp lawyers. Despite how time-consuming it was, she said it was worth the hassle in the end because of her intense passion for children and their education.

“I feel very sorry for children in our schools,” she says fervently. “There is such a lack of focus on the arts and on creativity — on just what kids like!”

As Elabd perseveres with her first initiative in empowering children’s creativity and imagination, she hopes to one day conduct her own research within the magazine’s target market. She has a hunger to get to know her readers more — who they are and what they like — and a hunger to fulfill all their creative and artistic needs.

Despite how large a feat this may be, Elabd is not daunted one bit by it.

“It has to be addressed,” she asserts, “it just has to.”

This article appeared in Egypt Independent's print edition

No more pencils, no more books: School supplies are getting more costly

Heba Helmy — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Going back to school has been taking a toll on family budgets as school supply prices hit parents’ pockets even harder this year.

Sherif Zakaria, a supermarket cashier, says that school supply budgets are spiraling out of control, as prices surpass those of last year.

“I was forced to apply for a loan from work to complete the long school supply list,” says Zakaria, a father of three. “Prices may seem reasonable when it comes to workbooks and stationery items, but when you have to buy dozens for each kid, things get out of control.”

Mamdouh Abdel Rahman, a taxi driver, agrees that prices have soared. He resorted to buying school supplies wholesale from Fagala Street, Cairo’s biggest market for school supplies, in a bid to kill two birds with one stone.

“It is a better deal for me to stock up on school supplies from now,” Abdel Rahman, who has four children, points out. “Wholesale supplies are always offered at a better cost, and help us avoid being trapped by the same whirlpool within the next months at the beginning of the second term.”

With school supply and backpack prices shooting up by 15 percent this year, according to retailers, parents are limiting their purchases to essential items only.

Retailers claim that they are victim to suppliers, who have the upper hand in the market.

Gaber Fawzy, who owns a small stationery store, attributes the increase to “greedy” wholesale suppliers who import supplies at rock bottom prices and distribute them to retailers at exorbitant costs.

“I have earned a more modest profit than usual. The turnout is low compared to previous years, and sometimes I have to sell my stuff at almost zero profit because I am afraid to raise prices, so they end up piling up at the store after the end of the season,” he explains.

Unsurprisingly, Chinese goods have begun to take over the school supplies market this academic year, as is also the case in many other industrial sectors in Egypt.

Chinese goods have been beating out Egyptian products, says 24-year-old Sayed Mahfouz, a street vendor whose wares are spread out on the ground at the corner of Fagala Street.

Consequently, Mahfouz is making good money due to the high demand for Chinese goods despite their quality being lower than items sold at stationery stores.

“People are mainly looking for affordable prices as well as attractive shapes for children to be happy with,” says Mahfouz, standing beside a wide array of colorful pencil cases and backpacks bearing images of Spongebob, Spiderman and Hannah Montana.

Backpacks, sold on street stands and carts, range from LE25 to LE60, depending on their quality, size and brand. Bookstores offer higher quality backpacks for between LE60 and LE100. Prices could be pushed up even more at shopping malls and classy neighborhoods.

Zakaria, the cashier, thinks there is a government solution.

“The government should intensify market-monitoring operations to prevent peak pricing before the academic year kicks off,” he concludes.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent’s weekly print edition.

Egypt’s school system: Taking a look at schools, their curricula, and accreditation

Sarah ElMeshad — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:40:00 +0000

According to UNICEF, 95.4 percent of the population in Egypt aged between six and 18 years old is enrolled in school. Primary and prepatory school is mandatory for all students. These millions of students are distributed across thousands of schools nationwide. But, despite the high enrollment, UNICEF says that “the quality of education remains a major challenge that hinders the capacity of children to develop to their full potential.”

The quality of schools and tuition value is often related to the quality and number of languages offered in a school. That conception is not immediately evidence by the four types of schools in Egypt: public, private, national institutions, and expat and embassy schools.

Public Schools

Public schools are completely the responsibility of the Education Ministry. They are funded, supervised and managed by the ministry and are supposed to be free to the general public. About 92 percent of students attend public schools. However, according to reports conducted by UNICEF, most of these schools are full of students but lack proper facilities, resources and teachers.

Public schools are divided into two types: local Arabic schools and experimental schools. Local Arabic schools offer the Egyptian curriculum in Arabic, but do not offer high-level language instruction. Experimental schools are public schools that offer their curriculum in a foreign language.

National Institutions Schools

These schools are institutions that are not privately owned but are related to national institutions and administrations. They are schools connected to Co-op schools, which are semi-private schools with high language standards and school fees close to private school fees. They are owned by social institutions, not individuals. The English School in Heliopolis is an example of a National Instiutions Schools.

Al-Azhar schools are similar to national institutes in that they are neither public or private. These schools follow a private, Islamic-oriented curriculum set by Al-Azhar University. They are not the responsibility of the Education Ministry, and, like embassy schools, do not fall under its jurisdiction. Students educated in Al-Azhar schools usually go on to study at Al-Azhar University. Fees are paid, but they are not governed by the laws governing private schools.

Embassy Schools

These are schools that are not connected to the Ministry of Education in any way. While on Egyptian land, they are related to their embassies. Members of the student body are mainly from the nation of their respective embassies and follow their own curriculum. There are only a handful of these schools in Egypt, and according to the Ministry of Education’s Private Schools law, these schools do not fall under the private school sector. Eman Morsy, an International School’s Registrar advisor and expert in student services, says that since these schools do not offer the courses required by the ministry in Arabic, Religion and Social Studies, Egyptian universities are not likely to admit students from these schools.

Private Schools

Private schools edcuate just 8 percent of students. Many open with the national curriculum, but seek, or eventually earn, accreditation to offer other kinds of diplomas, including the British General Certificate of Secondary Education, the International Baccalaureate and the French Baccalaureate.

Other schools are privately owned but offer a national curriculum. Whether these national schools are language-based or Arabic schools, they offer advanced language classes, giving them an edge over local public schools.

Missionary and Religious Schools also teach the national curriculum but have a religious mission. They do not have a special license, are legally national schools and are subject to Egyptian laws. Islamic schools are also based on their owner’s mission. They do not stray from the Egyptian religion curriculum and are also subject to supervision from the Education Ministry.

Language or International Schools come under the supervision of the Ministry of Education but offer a final degree other than the thanaweya amma. Their curriculum is based on the system they are accredited by.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent's weekly print edition.

Kid’s corner: Online store provides new line for little ones

Amany Aly Shawky — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:56:00 +0000

Kids nowadays are technology and Internet gurus — many at the age of 4 or 5 have already been introduced to the world of iPhones and iPads. Now an option for online shopping for kids is available.

Style Treasure, the first online store in Egypt, recently launched its children’s department to accommodate busy parents and provide a more interactive shopping experience for young ones.

As you’d expect, the website layout is colorful. An animated intro welcomes you when you log on to the website, featuring a boy and girl enjoying a merry-go-round with the country’s most treasured landmarks — the Giza Pyramids, the Nile River and the Citadel. The illustration is mirrored on Style Treasure Kids’ gift boxes and wrapping paper.

The displayed items are divided into feeding essentials, clothes, room accessories, baby accessories, toys, school supplies and stationery, and party supplies. As with the website for grown-ups, Style Treasure Kids offers a section for the newest items available on the website.

You will find everything from flannels, pacifiers and bottles by Louli’s to LE4,000 car seats and strollers. Some of the items are a bit pricey, but the site saves you the hassle of a shopping trip in the crazy streets of Cairo.

Many Egyptian designers have their children’s lines featured on this custom-tailored website, such as “By Lisa,” which recently launched its new line of beach flip-flops for kids. The prices range between LE175 to LE195, according to the design.

However, most of the items on display are imported, especially the clothing and baby gear. The brands SpunkyKids, Little Miss Sunshine, Zoe and Baby Gap have the lion’s share of the website’s Stylish Me section.

The website offers a window of variety for parents who are shopping for their newborn from Mothercare, which has monopolized the market for kids’ clothes since it opened a few years ago. The site is no less expensive, though.

Style Treasure’s website is comprehensive — all that a parent needs, in one place. There is even a section for party supplies, including cups, napkins, decorative items and personalized birthday banners.

Visit the Style Treasure Kids website at www.styletreasurekids.com

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent’s weekly print edition.

Cairo's educational camps for kids in Ramadan

Sarah ElMeshad — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 20:34:00 +0000

Ramadan in the summer can have parents in a frenzy deciding how to fill their children's time. Fortunately, all around Cairo nurseries and activity centers have set up programs focused on architecture, art, dance, science, sports, photography and drama.

Adli Rizkallah Art for Children

Adli Rizkallah Art for Children is holding a four-week camp at Designopolis, on the Alexandria Desert Road, K38. Its program includes beginner architecture and graffiti from 22 July to 26 July, advanced paper and origami art from 29 July to 2 August, modern art and mono printing from 5 August to 9 August, and the final week is a choice of fashion or car design from 12 August to 16 August. Days start at 9 am and go through to 2:30 pm. It's for ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 12.

At Qirtassiya, the sister branch of Diwan in Zamalek, Adli Rizkallah Art for Children will be holding a similar day camp Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Activities will include fashion design, car design, origami, book making and pop-up art. The camp will start 23 July and run to 8 August.

For more information on Adli Rizkallah Art for Children camps and for registration you can call 011 4189 5180.

Big Brain Academy

Big Brain Academy in Mohandiseen has a wide range of activities including drama, arts and crafts, photography, and science. This day camp runs five days a week from 9 am to 3pm, for ages 4 to 12. Big Brain Academy is at 90 (A) Ahmed Orabi Street. For more information call 01114225551 or 33462970.

Youth Development

Youth Development has organized camps around Cairo. Discover Yourself camp has two branches: one in the Beverly Hills compound in 6th of October City and one in Maadi. With two-week rounds, this camp for ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 12 has theme-based activities such as arts and crafts, mathematical application activities, scouting, sports, knowledge fun, science mania, Egyptian culture, and treasure time (focusing on soft skills). Each round includes a field trip related to the theme. The camp is on going until 16 August and is flexible in terms of participation. The camp provides breakfast and lunch. The Beverly Hills branch is next to Bel Air Villa 94 (A), and the Maadi branch is 261 Street, Villa 11, New Maadi. For more information call 010222184793.

Youth Development in association with Thomas Cook and the Smash Academy has also organized a Better Future camp. It has the same programs as Discover Yourself, except that they are available for ages 4 to 7, 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. The camp offers lunch only, and also runs from 9 am to 4 pm. It takes place in Katameya Residence’s Smash Academy.

Art Café

For Maadi residents, Art Café also holds weekly art-focused camps. Its internationally themed weeks start with an "Indian Art Journey" that includes Asian, African, contemporary and renaissance art for ages 4 to 9 and 10 to 18. That runs up to August 30. The classes start at 10 am and focus on crafts or painting and drawing. For more information on Art afé’s programs, visit 62 Road 12, Maadi.

My Gym

For Heliopolis residents seeking a sports focus, My Gym has activities from 10 am to 3 pm for ages 4 to 10. Activities include My Gym training, hip hop dancing by Samia Alouba, jazz dancing, arts and crafts, cooking and gardening. Children will eat from Chez Edy for a fee of LE100 per week. Registration in My Gym’s summer camp can be daily, weekly or monthly. My Gym is at 15 Abdel Moneim Hafez Street, Almaza. For more information call 01065089911.