A stroll through Mounaya, one of Cairo's most beautiful boutiques, is a relaxing experience. The brainchild of sisters-daughter team Ghada and Rufayda Abdel Hak and Rufayda's daughter Rudayna, Mounaya offers beautiful jewelry, bags, home wares and novelties designed and produced locally. Best of all, there's always an Orientalist twist to the products. As the boutique grew over the three years since it opened, the women of Mounaya considered making a product that their clients can enjoy sporting while highlighting their love of the brand. But narcissism was never one of their traits. They constantly seek designers to support and promote in their stores, especially those with a cause such as the Artisans du Liban, who ensure the preservation of traditional wares and craftsmanship. And so the latest project coming out of Mounaya focuses on goodwill. "We wanted to make a fun shirt to promote the Mounaya brand but decided that we wanted to promote a good cause. [We] came across the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt, said Ghada. The Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE) raises funds to educate destitute women about the disease, the importance of early detection and monthly self-examinations, as well as providing them with necessary expensive services. Providing screening programs, subsidized mammograms, prostheses and bras, lymphedema treatment and emotional support groups, the BCFE has been successful in connecting those with the means to help and people in need. The Mounaya t-shirt is fun; designed by artist Susan Tabit, it features a drawing of a fashion charged shopper carrying bags, including a Mounaya bag. Priced at LE 140, all proceeds go to charity. To get in involved with the BCFE either by volunteering or by donating money, visit www.bcfe.org or call 09009500. Mounaya Boutique, 14 Kamal El-Tawil St., (formerly Montazah St.,) Tel: 02-2737-7726.
