‘Ward El Khair’ Initiative to Recycle Water Hyacinth into Handicrafts
‘Ward El Khair’ will recycle water hyacinth into handicrafts while supporting economic opportunities for women and girls.
A new national initiative called 'Ward El Khair’ has been introduced as part of World Water Day activities, focusing on recycling water hyacinth into handicrafts while supporting economic opportunities for women and girls from low-income families.
The programme centres on transforming the fast-growing aquatic plant into craft products through training and small-scale production, while also contributing to environmental management by repurposing the invasive species.
Training activities have already been carried out through the Regional Training Centre for Water Resources and Irrigation, which conducted 24 training sessions across its headquarters and branch locations in Kafr El Sheikh, Damietta, Damanhour and Esna.
These programmes trained 643 women from civil society organisations and water user associations in recycling techniques and craft production. Work connected to ‘Ward El Khair’ involves cooperation with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood and UNICEF.
Efforts focus on expanding training opportunities for girls from low-income families, improving marketing channels for finished products, enhancing drying and processing techniques for water hyacinth, and developing designs that reflect community preferences.
Future phases of the initiative will focus on expanding the number of trainees, improving marketing channels for finished products, and enhancing drying and processing methods for water hyacinth. Work is also planned on developing designs that reflect community preferences and craft traditions.
