"Be Our Friend_Competition"

Students at the Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Culture Centre were given one week convey in drawing or  writing what the culture centre means to them as part of the "Be Our Friend" competition held there in July 2012.

The followings are samples of the drawings received in response to the competition. This is how our family and friends in Eldeweir feel about the centre and its activities.

We would like to thank all the participants for their immediate response and effort, as well as their teachers for their valuable assistance.

"Be Our Friend_Competition_ Drawings"

"Be Our Friend_ Competition_Sketches"

July's Volunteers at the Culture Centre

FABDS would like to extend its gratitude to all interns who are currently volunteering at the Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Culture Centre in Assiut; taking the time out to contribute to this noble cause, and toughing out the -sometimes- unflattering living conditions in this part of the country.

Helena Shen
Jarmila Oskerova
Kyriaki Arampidou
Lemon Zhuo
Mennat-allah Mourad
Rebecca Sunderland
Sophie Dai
Sonila Metushi
Vaibhav Pathak
Yaqeen Fouad
Zyad Abd-Elhameed

We appreciate all your efforts and hope that you'll find this experience fulfilling

Short video documenting some of FABDS' social and cultural activities in Upper Egypt

Formation of the Society

The Friends of Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Society (F.A.B.S.) is a social and cultural charity registered in the Arab Republic of Egypt (no. 4285 of 1996) in commemoration of the late writer Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin. It was founded in order to help realize the goals and principles, which he defended through his work over the course of 40 years, up until the onset of his illness in 1990 and his passing away in 1996.

Through its various activities, and the "Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Cultural Centre" in Assiut, the Society aims to become a cultural beacon serving the people and societies of Upper Egypt so that these individuals, through creativity, innovation, freedom of opinion and pursuit of knowledge, may have the tools that will enable them to implement change and progress in their society. 

This is done through the following objectives:

1. Cultural development - through encouraging youth to partake in art in its various forms; drama, literature, cinema, music, pottery and photography. Encouraging the participation in literary competitions, research, study, and the dissemination and publishing of literary works.
2. Development of skills and abilities - in particular, computer, language and translation skills. 
3. Human development - through various social activities and trips, the elimination of illiteracy, extra-curricular classes, and seminars to raise awareness. This is intended to supplement the education received in schools.
4. Supporting Arab cultural works through cooperation with Arab cultural institutions - encouraging cultural exchange amongst youth. 

Board Members of the Society

         Chairman:   Dr. Hazem  Albiblawi

 Vice Chairman:   Mr. Muhammad Selmawy

         Secretary:    Dr. Karima Khalil

         Treasurer:    Dr. Ziad Bahaa-Eldin

Board Member:    Mrs. Ghada Wali

Board Member:    Mrs Leila Bahaa-Eldin 

Board Member:    Mr. Alaa Soueif

The Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Culture Centre, Assiut

In 2004 the Governorate of Assiut donated a 320m²   plot of land in Eldewir, Assiut (the village where Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin's family were from) to the Society in order to build a culture centre.

The Engineering firm, "Dar el Hendesa", volunteered to design the building, which incorporates modern features into a traditional architectural form, while respecting the preservation of natural resources. 

The building process includes:

• Children's general and specialized libraries.
• A free reading room.
• Various classrooms.
• Language and Computer classrooms.
• A lecture theater.
• A film screening room and theatre.
• An open air theatre.
• Guest and management accommodation.
• A cafeteria and meeting room.

From 2005 to 2009, generous donations made to the Society have funded the construction of the centre. The centre was inaugurated on the 16th December 2010. 

The opening party was a great event, attended by key Egyptian and Arab thinkers and intellectuals as well as residents of the village who took part in cultural activities from all over Upper - Egypt.

Social and Charitable Activities of the Society

FABDS' activities in the cultural field must be seen in light of the socio-economic situation of the people of Upper Egypt, the poorest and most deprived region in the country. 

Since its founding, FABDS has sought to support cultural activities by developing its ability to serve the local community in ways that relate to cultural aspects of their lives. This is done through charitable activities that benefit the community and help young boys and girls overcome difficulties in their lives through participation in cultural activities.

Providing support for tuition fees 

In situation of poverty, education often suffers. FABDS seeks to offer support to combat this by paying yearly tuition fees for those who cannot afford them. This was done after the carrying out of an extensive social survey. More than 5000 students have benefited from this program in the past 5 years.

Renewal of School Furniture Project 

At FABDS, we realize the importance and impact of enhancing education services. The society has, therefore provided for the renovation of school furniture in an attempt to create a suitable learning environment. FABDS is currently renewing the furniture of Eldeweir primary school for the benefit of its 1600 students. 

Project for the Development of Youth Centres and Sports Clubs  and Sports Clubs

Development in this field is in line with the Society's efforts to improve various aspects of the lives of children and youths. As such, the Society has participated in the development of Youth Centres and Sports Clubs so that it can expand its services into this field.

The Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Scholarship at the American University in Cairo

The society has offered a scholarship to a distinguished student from Assiut to complete his studies at AUC. The student is currently in his third year of study at the AUC in the faculty of computer science. The Society hopes to continue awarding this grant to worthy students in the future. 

Mobile Eye Clinic 

As part of the society's efforts to improve the general health situation and medical facilities in the region, FABDS has established a mobile clinic for the treatment of sight. On its first day the clinic received 600 individuals, transporting those in need of surgery of further treatment to hospitals in Cairo. 

Activities

The following is an overview of the 2011 plan, which was the centre's first active year, and which stood out for the diversity it showed as well as for the great effort displayed by the employees, volunteers and participants.

Training and rehabilitation (languages - computing - human development)

70 students from 5 classes took a beginner's English language course for a nominal fee. 89 school children received English language classes free of charge as part of a grant.

66 people from 6 classes participated in a course in human development for a nominal fee. 

88 students from 4 other technological development classes, provided for by a grant.

Cultural activities (literature - seminars - competitions - field trips and visits)

This field of activity has been a great success in its various branches:

113 meetings of the members of the cultural club were attended by 210 youths, with an average of 15 members attending two times per month.

l2 poetry meetings and recitals by poets from Assiut and Upper Egypt were attended by 60 writers most of whom are from Eldeweir and Sedfa and haven't previously had the opportunity to attend meetings like these.

8 religious seminars were held covering a range of topics attended by priests and imams and 170 people fro the area. 

66 visits by schoolchildren from Sedfa benefiting 1900 students through participation with the centre and its activities such as theatre, music, science, sculpture etc.

70 competitors have taken part in the public library cultural competitions (research and presentations on books). Discussions have been held by participants on the subject of their research and their training towards sound scientific reseacrh.

14 lecturer on Arabic grammar have been held for the benefit of 150 youths most of whom are secondary school students from Sedfa.

7 seminars were held for the presentation and preview of books from the library of Palestine and the public library.

3 meetings with senior figures of Assiut Governorate that were attended by 400 members of the public from the towns of Eldeweir ad Sedfa. The authorities ad the townspeople discussed a number of issues and demands concerning public life.

5 seminars were held for the raising of political awareness of the public and were attended by political and cultural figures from Cairo and  Assiut as well as 250 local members of the public.

Theatre 

The theatrical activities of the past year were an outstanding success, with 30 children and youths forming "The Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin theatrical group". The group put on a run of 25 performances of the play "Snippets From a Phone Call". More than 1,500 people saw the play. 

A Puppet Theatre group was also established with 10 members presenting 15 performances about the prevention of burns with the cooperation of a group of burn casualties from Assiut. MOre than 1000 people attended this performance. 

Sculpting

This was one the most successful general activities of the past years. Amongst the factors in its success was the variety of its scope and attraction, and the effort that the participants put into the activity. 183 works of the pioneering participants are found all around the centre. 2300 youth have participated in this activity, which each workshop consisting of around 20 youths. 2 exhibitions were also organized that were participated in by 32 young artists at the centre. 

Children's Library and Activities 

A lack of proficiency was noted in the reading and writing of primary-level students in Assiut. FABDS responded by offering an extra-curricular reading/writing program aimed at improving the level of proficiency of these students with the participation of 40 children.

The children's library is rarely empty, in fact, as of early 2012, nearly 5000 children frequent it in total, with an average of 15 a day. 1500 of those children have borrowed books from the library and 200 of them have participated in library competitions.

Special Occasions and Activities

The society's activities are not limited to the confines of the cultural centre. FABDS has cooperated with a number of private and public cultural institutions to organize several cultural festivals.