By participating in the 13-Villages-Project, organic toy manufacturer, Under the Nile, is doing
more than just providing healthy toys for customers -- they're also providing healthier living
conditions for impoverished people in Egypt.
Under the Nile, manufacturer of organic toys and apparel, is doing
more than just helping kids make a positive association with healthy foods. They are also proud
participants of the 13-Villages-Project -- a SEKEM initiative to fight against poverty and its causes in
rural Egypt. Under the Nile's "Veggin' Out" collection of stuffed fruits and vegetables are made
exclusively through this program.
Janice Masoud, President of Under the Nile, joined the 13-Villages-Project because she believes as they
do.that poverty cannot be addressed solely through financial aid. So while many manufacturers choose
to give a portion of their proceeds to underprivileged countries, charities, and so forth, Masoud wanted to
do more than just donate. She wanted to part of the solution.
Here is what she's done:
SEKEM, our partner farm in Egypt, identified 13 nearby villages in the region of Sharkeya in
desperate need of better livelihoods and healthier living conditions.
Many women in these villages, though capable of working and desirous of contributing income to
the family, are unable to leave their villages to do so because they are needed to care for family
members. So Masoud brought the work to the villages.
To ensure quality, each village is trained and assigned responsibility for making one style of
Under the Nile.s stuffed fruit and vegetables toys. A carefully selected woman from the village
manages the workers and trains new women wanting to participate.
When the women are ready to start production, Under the Nile cuts the fabric, prepares the
embellishments, and delivers the raw materials to the village. The date product is needed by and
a fair wage for the labor required to complete the work is agreed upon at that time. The women
are paid when the toys are picked up.
The results of this project are incredible. Masoud says, "The women feel a sense of self-worth and
empowerment. Learning a trade is inspiring them to try other things they would not normally have
attempted. When I visited the villages a few months ago, not only were the women happy, but the entire
village was proud of what they had accomplished."
Under the Nile has enough work to keep all 13 villages busy manufacturing fruit and vegetable toys for
the remainder of 2008 and is looking to continue outsourcing projects to these communities long-term.
Products manufactured through this program will begin bearing a 13-Villages-Project hang tag starting in
the fall.
About Under the Nile
Under the Nile has been a manufacturer of organic infant and children's apparel, toys, blankets, and other
accessories for over ten years. All products are made from 100 percent organic, Egyptian cotton that
carries the internationally recognized Demeter certification. Under the Nile clothing is colorful,
comfortable, and designed with a mother.s need for convenience in mind. Products are sold at fine stores
everywhere.
About Janice Masoud
A former clothing designer, Janice Masoud founded Under the Nile in 1998, and is a pioneer and
proponent of bringing organic products into mainstream retailers. Masoud travels to Egypt twice a year
to oversee production of her line at SEKEM Initiative Farm where she signed on with the supplier
because of their commitment to contributing towards the development of man, community, and the earth.
Masoud is well-versed on organic textiles and is available to speak on the current .organic trend. in
relation to non-food products. She is also an advocate of the 13-Villages-Project and would welcome the
chance to teach others about this wonderful program.
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