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Zabbaleen of Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt - 4
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Zabbaleen of Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt - 4
Zabbaleen children on the rubbish tips of Mokattam, Cairo, Egypt. A small boy carries a tin can into which he will put small metal items he finds among the rubbish Date: circa 1995
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Media ID 19535807
© 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 life of Zabbaleen children in Mokattam, a community on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, circa 1995. The Zabbaleen are renowned for their role as waste pickers and recyclers, sifting through the mountains of rubbish that accumulate in this unofficial dumping ground. In this image, a small boy, dressed in tattered clothes, carefully carries a tin can filled with small metal items he has found among the rubbish. The expression on his face is focused and determined, reflecting the importance of every find in his search for valuable materials. The scene is one of hard labor, with other children and adults also seen rummaging through the filthy heap, their faces masked to protect against the stench and smoke that permeate the air. The Zabbaleen's work is a vital part of the local economy, with recycled materials sold to factories and merchants. However, the conditions in which they work are far from ideal, with long hours, dangerous working conditions, and exposure to toxic materials. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the poverty and challenges faced by those living in the Mokattam community, and the resilience and resourcefulness of its inhabitants. Despite the difficult circumstances, the Zabbaleen have developed a unique and sustainable system for managing waste, reducing the amount that ends up in landfills and contributing to a more circular economy. Their story is one of survival, innovation, and adaptation in the face of adversity.
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