Amran gardens, Wadi Tala, South Sinai

Project 2

Description:

Amran Garden is a Monastery Garden set in the mountains near St Katherine's.

Purpose:

To provide a pilot scheme for a sustainable garden capable of generating produce, particularly herbs.

To support Mahmoud Mansur’s herb and fruit drying business by encouraging the Jebelia Bedouin to increase garden production.

To provide a resting place on a planned eco-tourist route through the mountains.

To re-affirm the historical bond between the Monastery and the Jebelia Bedouin.

Project Work:

We have cleared the site of rubbish, planted herbs, made paths, built a water tank, dug drainage channels, constructed the upper dam and renovated buildings to provide dry storage and a kitchen.

Beneficiaries:

The Jebelia Bedouin, tourists and St Katherine's Monastery.

Partners:

St Katherine's Monastery and Mahmoud Mansur, a local entrepreneur

Current Status:

The project was completed in April 2006. The herbs are growing well and more are being planted. The garden provides a pleasant tourist stop and other garden owners have benefited from the dam.

Shaban, Amran gardener and caretaker
Amran Gardens