Nr. 152 - May 2015
Davert GmbH
Editorial Dear Readers, the SEKEM community is always delighted about the declarations of intent for active participation of committed individuals – no matter if their contribution is ideational or practical, locally or from abroad. In fact SEKEM would not have become what it is today without the personal enthusiasm of many supporters.
Visitors on the SEKEM Farm
Seeking Interns
Invitation to apply at the SEKEM School
Gymnastics
First Course in Bothmer Gymnastics
Guests at SEKEM: German Partners Visit the Farm
Friends and partners from Germany’s Davert GmbH, the company that develops and distributes SEKEM products for the German market, visited the farm. They recount their time in Egypt in an extensive article.
Nevertheless, there are many inquiries to work with SEKEM in Egypt that reach the initiative, it is not always easy to find the right position for a prospective supporter; SEKEM has to reject many applications. Presently, the SEKEM School is searching for an intern (male/female) who wishes to accompany lessons at the institution on the piano. For details, see page 3. Although SEKEM usually must restrict itself to accepting supporters with professional experience, it is often useful to ask and see if one of its institutions is in need of a specific skill or profession. Do contact us if you have questions or wish to personally support SEKEM’s work for a more equitable and sustainable world in Egypt and elsewhere.
Your Team of Editors Find SEKEM also on the Internet at:
Sigrid Ahrens and Tino Nitsch, co-workers from Davert GmbH, are meeting their Egyptian counterparts on the SEKEM Farm together with Andreas Kalbhenn and his colleagues from ISIS.
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gyptAir MS 786 brings me and my colleagues Sigrid Ahrens, Axel Frerks and Tino Nitsch safely to Egypt. We have been invited to the SEKEM farm near Cairo. In Germany, we all jointly take care of the development of new SEKEM products and their sale on the German market. Now we wanted to see with our own eyes on what kind of farm the products that we sell exactly are produced. It quickly dawns on us, however, that the term „farm“ might a bit inappropriate.
It is already dark when we land at the Egyptian capital on the river Nile. Orange lines crisscross the boundless dark area below us. We can distinguish the densely travelled roads and the chaotic traffic of Cairo already from the aircraft. The immigration procedure eventually behind us we are warmly welcomed by an Egyptian SEKEM co-worker at the airport. At around 9 in the evening after about an hour’s drive over bumpy highways, we reach the SEKEM farm, a huge SEKEM Insight | May 2015 | Page 1
Economy
oasis in the middle of a rocky desert. We spend the first evening with our local contacts, Andreas Kalbhenn and Angela Hofmann, two German co-workers who live permanently in Egypt and have dedicated themselves body and soul to the development of the initiative. I am delighted to finally meet Helmy Abouleish, CEO of the SEKEM Group of companies, in person.
From Egypt Into the World: Textiles Made from Biodynamic Cotton
After a short night under the mosquito net the next day begins with a steaming hot cup of SEKEM Moringa tea and homemade bread. This is followed by appointments and more appointments as there is so much to see and discuss. We visit NatureTex, SEKEM’s company for organic textiles that is headed by Helmy Abouleish’s wife Konstanze and which serves several brands including some, among others, producing quality children‘s and baby clothing.
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It seems like there is hardly anything on SEKEM‘s fields that is not cultivated at least for trial purposes.
The factory of SEKEM’s company ISIS, where millions of tea bags are filled every year, welcomes us already metres away from the front door with an intense scent of herbs and spices. As in the textiles factory, we are greeted by countless cheerfully faces here. Andreas welcomes many of the workers with a handshake and a brief chat. The employees receive fair wages and find good working conditions at SEKEM’s plants. The lines where SEKEM processes its dates for the production of its many date products is of particular interest to us. Many of these are sold also in Germany. Here, a lot of work is still done by hand. Each date is examined for pests, prepared by hand, and then packed into colourful boxes. We are asked to try some of the delicious sweets. Mouth-watering!
Sigrid Ahrens examines the experimental cultivation of quinoa on the SEKEM farm.
Before lunch, we are invited to participate in a particularly fascinating event: At the weekly SEKEM School celebration, where the different grades at the institution exhibit their singing and dancing skills to a delighted audience. A fixed ritual to wind down the school week before Friday, the weekend day that among Muslims is traditionally spent with the family. The opening of the event by the former professional musician Andreas Kalbhenn who performs the song „What a wonderful world“ is a real highlight. Unplugged and live, at 1 in the afternoon in the desert – I am deeply impressed!
41,000 Patients per Year
After the event, we have the opportunity to visit the SEKEM Medical Centre. Here, many hundreds of people from the surrounding areas receive medical care every day – during the last year alone, the hospital treated more than 41,000 patients. The remaining afternoon was then spent with „field“ studies. It seems like there is hardly anything on SEKEM’s fields that is not at least cultivated for trial purpose. We pass huge plantations of date palms, fragrant fields with bright
orange marigolds. Apparently, the quinoa that was only recently planted to test its growth, enjoys the Egyptian sun and the barren desert floor is also good enough for it. Plus, SEKEM also does livestock farming. The brown cows with their natural horns, typical for biodynamic agriculture provide a great photo opportunity. At the end of our visit, our sales manager Axel even succeeds in fulfilling a childhood dream: plucking a ripe orange directly from the tree. Yummy! After participating in the traditional weekend circle of co-workers on SEKEM’s central square, at which all coworkers are personally taken leave of bye Helmy Abouleish, the desert is calling us. Our guide Rafik Costandi picks us up in a Jeep at sunset and we leave for the barren steppe. It is exciting to see how the country SEKEM was built on looked like before it was reclaimed. We already have to say goodbye the next morning. It is clear to us now,that you have to experience SEKEM yourself to truly understand its relevance. Reconciling Muslim and European culture, sustainable agriculture and professional production, work and life in the SEKEM community is second to none. Tino Nitsch (Davert GmbH)
SEKEM Insight | May 2015 | Page 2
Social First Workshop in Bothmer Gymnastics at the Heliopolis University After the SEKEM School, it is now the Heliopolis University which benefits from gymnastics training lessons: the first course in Bothmer gymnastics was recently offered here.
Join SEKEM as a Pianist Intern (Male/Female)
at the courts. Even the stifling heat stemming from the spring storms typical for this time of year suddenly no longer mattered. And many girls, who, for cultural reasons usually do not participate in sports activities, quickly and unreservedly found their ways into the teams. The fact that Arabic was also Ashraf’s mother tongue further eased any hesitation some may have initially had.
The recent workshop in Bothmer gymnastics was the first at the Heliopolis University.
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n the first week of April the sports ground of the Heliopolis University was the main campus attraction for the students. For the second time, Ashraf El Gammal of BMI („Bothmer Movement International“) from the United Kingdom had arrived to offer a training course. He was accompanied by Karsten Junkers and Luci Baumann as assistants. It was the first course to be offered directly at the Heliopolis University.
After the SEKEM School, Gymnastics Now at the Heliopolis University Thus, it was the pupils of the SEKEM School who were at the centre of the last workshop in Bothmer gymnastics. This time, the course was to primarily benefit the academic students. And sure enough, solely through the joy of movement and the warm enthusiasm of Ashraf El Gammal and his companions, many students were immediately drawn into the action. Anyone arriving tired at the court felt immediately encouraged to participate in the first few minutes. Most quickly forgot that the desire to move had not been felt until their arrival
Sport: An Important Companion to Mental Work Physical education teachers were given a comprehensive overview and background on their topic at the university and about the importance of sports as complementary activities to intellectual learning. At the Heliopolis University, sports are an important part of the “Studium Fundamentale” or “Core Programme” and life on campus in general. In fact, key social skills can be development with a targeted exercise program as Bothmer gymnastics. These include teamwork, perseverance, mindfulness, attention and many others. There was a wealth of new games and movement activities to be learned in the workshop that even replaced the otherwise ever-present football in the minds of the Egyptians who participated. Bothmer gymnastics along with the pure joy of the game has certainly changed the students and the experience of acquiring social skills through exercise will surely have lasting impact. In attendance of another upcoming course the teachers and students of the Heliopolis University thank Ashraf’s team for this year’s contribution.
You can visit SEKEM yourself:
www.SEKEM-reisen.de
Martina Dinkel
Teaching art at the SEKEM School is always a cross-cultural activity.
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EKEM is looking for talented pianists (male/female) as interns: The SEKEM School is in need of individuals who love to play the piano, play it well and wish to accompany the eurythmy lessons at one of SEKEM’s oldest educational institutions for an extended period of time. The applicants should be able to play well after scores and be interested in participating in other areas of engagement at the SEKEM schools. Individuals with artistic and technical skills are specifically encouraged to apply. The intern is to be placed on the SEKEM Farm, will live and work on these premises and thus has the opportunity to gain insight into many of the initiative’s extensive facilities. Any stay should be foreseen to be for a duration of at least 6 months, ideally beginning September 2015 to at least mid-May 2016.
For more information please contact Ms. Martina Dinkel (martina.dinkel@ SEKEM.com). SEKEM Insight | May 2015 | Page 3
Impressions
Impressions from SEKEM
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or the second time already, the company newspaper “Al Tanwîr” (“Enlightenment”) was now published in SEKEM. The eight-page magazine bears the subtitle „for a balance between working and family life“ and focuses on the challenges faced by women when they pursue careers but remain housewives and mothers at the same time. The idea to develop and publish an internal company newspaper had been broached during so called social meetings at Naturetex, SEKEM’s garment factory. These meetings are taking place once a week and the company staff is planing activities or discussing general concerns.
While the first edition of “Al Tanwîr” was published by NatureTex alone, the editorial team is now happy that new members from the ISIS or the SEKEM School are joining them. Two teachers have already written an article on the highly successful “Girl’s Day” which had been held in the school facilities this spring (see SEKEM Insight 03.2015). In addition to reports on current activities, the magazine also includes staff portraits or interviews and aims to educate its readers. Thus, it featured a report on the history of the international “Women‘s Day” in its second edition. On the occasion of the annual SEKEM Spring Festival, the “Al Tanwîr” magazine was first offered for sale. The editors aim to finance the third edition, that shall be released soon, from these revenues. SEKEM Insight | May 2015 | Page 4
News in Brief
Helmy Abouleish to Speak at 40th OIKOCREDIT Anniversary
People in SEKEM: Mohammed Berry
a global study program in Denmark and made a diploma in solar energy generation. “The time in Europe taught me a lot. Especially the way how everything is organized was very impressive for me”, the 29-year-old says. “I have been in Denmark when the revolution in Egypt took place. This gave me a different outlook on the situation here and I experienced how important it is to always take different perspectives into account”.
Mohammed Berry works in many fields in SEKEM, from solar energy to irrigation management.
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SEKEM is my destiny – it fits my life exactly“. Mohammed Berry joined SEKEM during kindergarten, stayed till his school graduation and after he finished his studies in Mathematics and Physics he returned to work for SEKEM’s Environmental Science Centre. There, he organized projects not only for SEKEM’s pupils but also for young people from other schools to connect their theoretical scientific knowledge to practical activities: “The connection between theory and practice is very important for the development of a human being. The lack of awareness is one of Egypt’s most challenging issues”, Mohammed tells. “I was really shocked when I began my studies at the university. I expected something more demanding than at school but I quickly got bored.” The young SEKEM co-worker is convinced that practical work strengthens selfconfidence. When he built something in the wood workshop during his school days, for instance, he always felt very proud of it afterwards: “It was a great feeling to know that I had created something entirely by myself.” Because of his deep interest in environmental topics, Mohammed attended
After returning to Egypt, Mohammed took up work on SEKEM’s farm in Minya managing a factory for drying herbs and onions. Here, he became involved to agriculture and management. Mohammed Berry: “I am convinced that organic farming is our best chance to tackle many of the global and local challenges we are facing nowadays. I therefore call it the ‘glocal’ solution, a combination of the two terms global and local. It is crucial to always consider both.” Recently Mohammed started working with the Sustainability Team at SEKEM’s farm in the Bahareyya oasis where he coordinates solar energy and water irrigation projects. “It feels like all my past activities prepared me for this job. To me, personal development is one of the most meaningful things in life”, Mohammed reveals. Last year, Mohammed went abroad, to Uganda to support a friend who was implementing a charity project. The idea was to build a community that integrates, among other facilities, a school, a medical centre and an orphanage. “It looks like there might be a new SEKEM developing down there”, Mohammed smiles. “Over there, I clearly felt how SEKEM has influenced my whole way of thinking and acting.” Mohammed’s commitment to SEKEM is also revealed by a joke his friends occasionally play on him: “Look at the inside of his hand. It says ‘Made in SEKEM’ there!”.
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n 10 June, social investor and worldwide cooperative, Oikocredit, will celebrate its 40th anniversary in Berlin, Germany. Oikocredit is a partner of SEKEM, having investing US$ 7 million in equity since 2012. SEKEM is one of Oikocredit’s many partners over the last 40 years, with the cooperative having invested over US$2 billion in almost 1,700 partner organizations like SEKEM. Helmy Abouleish will participate through a video conference from Cairo. More than 200 guests from over 30 countries will attend the event in Berlin, celebrating the birthday of this investment pioneer. Attending the event will be representatives of investors, staff and partners, including Oikocredit managing director, David Woods. Speakers will include Thrive Solar founder, Dr Ranganayakulu Bodavala, supply chain manager of Café Direct, Violeta Stevens and board member of Divine Chocolate as well as founder of Ethex, Jamie Hartzell.
Masthead: The editors of SEKEM Insight wish to thank all contributors to this issue. Editors: Bijan Kafi (Chief Editor), Christine Arlt (Cairo Correspondent) Contact: SEKEM-Insight Gotzkowskystr. 15 10555 Berlin Germany bijan.kafi@SEKEM.com Pictures: 1, 2: Davert GmbH; 3: SEKEM; 5: Anna Kölling No republication without written consent by the publisher.
Christine Arlt
SEKEM Insight | May 2015 | Page 5