Photo credits: Hadeer S.Dahab, 2023.
Have you ever met someone who can transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary works of art?
Meet Malak Alaa El-Din, a 17-year-old high school student at Al-Azhar Secondary with a passion for poetry and history – and a dream of becoming a tour guide.
Malak resides in the vibrant al-Khalifa neighbourhood, nestled within the historic quarters of Cairo – one of the oldest World Heritage sites in Egypt.
From a young age, she discovered her unique talent for capturing life’s experiences through poetic verses. Each new adventure, no matter how small, inspired her to put pen to paper, documenting the sights, sounds, and emotions in rhythmic verse.
Malak expressed herself through the eloquence of Fusha Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic), persistently crafting her early poetic attempts in formal Arabic.
Her creative flair and style appeared in how she tweaked words and played with rhythms, embracing the art of rhyming.
Malak fondly reminisced on how she poured her emotions into a little brown notebook whenever she felt upset–a cherished childhood ritual. Through the strokes of her pen, she could imagine different scenarios, weaving stories that instantly uplifted her spirits.
Her love for poetry blossomed within a household that brimmed with verse, as she vividly remembers her mother, uncle, and father frequently penning poems.
Malak recounted her cherished memories of playfully exchanging rhyming verses with her mother, engaging in a poetic dialogue that brought them closer together. United by their shared love of poetry, Malak felt her mother’s support as she embarked on the journey of finding her voice.
They also shared vivid memories of working together and composing poems together, especially after Malak joined the Athar Lina heritage education activities in the al-Khalifa area in 2017.
At just 15 years old, Malak participated in the Makanuna al-Khalifa workshops, where she and a team of around 20 youth aged 13-18 upcycled solid and organic waste into outdoor furniture, games, and compost for al-Khalifa Park.
This participatory placemaking project empowered adolescents in the neighborhood to redesign their local public spaces, fostering creativity, environmental stewardship, and a sense of belonging.
Inspired by this transformative experience, Malak composed a powerful poem titled “Your Organic Waste is a Compost,” capturing the essence of their sustainable accomplishments.
The poem vividly describes the process of sorting organic waste, nurturing the earth with compost, and witnessing nature’s magic unfold as plants and creatures thrive.
But Malak’s poetic journey didn’t stop there. She composed a larger piece, “The Story of Makanuna,” weaving together the entire narrative of her journey through the Makanuna al-
Khalifa workshops. With vivid imagery, she painted a picture of the team’s learning process, their hands-on efforts, and the transformative impact they had on their beloved public space ―al-Khalifa Park.
Take a look at the accompanying image, where you can read Malak’s original Arabic poem about composting, accompanied by her sister Fatma’s captivating illustrations. Fatma, a fellow participant in the Makanuna al-Khalifa project, used her artistic talents to bring Malak’s words to life.
Malak’s Poetic Tale of Placemaking in Historic Cairo
Believing in the power of Malak’s voice, their dear friend Henry, a volunteer with a passion for pottery, created an interpretive translation of her poem, sharing her message with a global audience:
Your Organic Waste is a Compost
The compost from your leftovers
is most different from all fertilizers;
If you sort your waste,
recycling becomes a habit.
If you think your waste is without use,
Get rid of this idea, there’s no excuse!
Sorting waste creates
an effective experience in our lives.
If you want a natural fruit,
Get up and sort your garbage—be astute:
Put your organic waste in one bag
And other waste in another
In two bags, not one,
is where garbage should remain.
Make note Om Su'ad;
and you too Om Hussein!
Compost is what the Earth needs—
recycling once will plant the seeds
for it to become a game without thought.
With two bottles and some rope—
do it, I beg, take the leap!
Get up, sort your organic waste:
Dig a hole in the earth that’s a little deep.
Sort your waste every day: Please don’t give up!
Sort your waste as soon as you wake up.
Sort your waste and bit by bit: Wow!
Compost makes dreams come true.
Look at the beetles
who compete with the worms to eat;
Look at the worms
who risk eating too much—how sweet!
I know you like the idea—
so, get up and sort your waste!
It’s easy and can be done in haste.
To truly experience the power and emotion behind Malak’s words, scan the QR code below to listen to her melodic voice bringing “Your Organic Waste is a Compost” to life
Last November 2023, Malak, Fatma, and other participants who shared their passion launched the “Makanuna Initiative” with the dream of exploring and empowering communities through placemaking.
As the founder of this youth-led initiative, I witnessed their remarkable growth firsthand and how they were determined to build on the momentum of the Makanuna al-Khalifa workshops.
The Makanuna Initiative aims to inspire wider involvement from young people to reimagine public spaces in a way that authentically reflects the identity and cultural context of different neighbourhoods.
By fostering a sense of ownership and pride, this initiative seeks to create vibrant, community-driven spaces that celebrate the living heritage of each locale. Within the Makanuna Initiative, Fatma and Malak are part of the junior core team, each contributing their unique talents.
Fatma is the “brush of Makanuna,” using her pencils and brushes to express her connection to the city through paintings, artistic activities, and games that inspire other children.
Malak, on the other hand, is the “voice of Makanuna,” using her words and poems to highlight the milestones of her learning journey while encouraging other children to express their relationship with their neighbourhoods.
Through their creative endeavours, Malak and Fatma are cultivating a new generation of placemakers – youth who can collectively shape vibrant futures for their cities, one public space at a time.
Now, it’s your turn!
What inspires you to express your connection to your neighbourhood or city?
Perhaps you can follow in Malak’s footsteps and use poetry, art, or other
creative outlets to share your experiences and visions for a better tomorrow.
The Makanuna Initiative welcomes all voices and perspectives, so don’t
hesitate to reach out and join this remarkable journey of placemaking and
community empowerment.
