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Zabbaleen of Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt - 3
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Zabbaleen of Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt - 3
Zabbaleen children on the rubbish tips of Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt. A small boy scrabbles in the rubbish with his bare hands. More children work behind him Date: circa 1995
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Media ID 19535805
© Philip Dunn / Mary Evans Picture Library
Dirt Dirty Filth Filthy Heap Labor Labour Plastic Poor Poverty Recycle Recycling Refuse Rubbish Scavenger Scavenging Stench Stink Stinking Tips Trash Waste Worker Zebaleen
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This evocative photograph captures the daily reality of the Zabbaleen children of Mokattam, a community on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, who have made a living by scavenging through the mountains of rubbish that accumulate in their neighborhood. Circa 1995, this image portrays a small boy intently searching for valuable items amidst the trash heap, while more children work behind him, their faces etched with determination and focus. The scene is one of stark contrasts - the children's bright, curious eyes contrasting with the dirt and filth that surrounds them, their youthful energy contrasting with the stench and stink of the stinking rubbish. The smoke rising from the burning waste adds to the chaotic and overwhelming atmosphere. The Zabbaleen, also known as the "garbage people," have long relied on this labor-intensive and often dangerous work to survive. Recycling and reusing discarded materials has been a vital part of their culture, with families sorting and selling recyclable items to earn a meager income. Despite the challenges they face, the children of Mokattam display a resilience and resourcefulness that is both inspiring and heartbreaking. This poignant photograph offers a glimpse into their world, highlighting the complex realities of poverty, labor, and survival in Cairo.
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