What is Garbage City?

Manshiyat naser, or more commonly known as Garbage City, is home to more than 20,000 people that live by means of recycling trash. It is located between Cairo's Great Pyramid of Giza and the Cave Church, yet few people have heard of it. Most tourists avoid it because of the stench of the place.

The locals call those who live, work, play, and recycle trash in Garbage City, the untouchables; 98 percent of the population is Christian. It is the only all Christian community in Egypt. Muslims will not work as trash collectors due to their religious beliefs. In a land where the sun causes temperatures to soar to over 115 degrees, the smell is enough to knock your socks off, and flies carry filth and disease, one would expect anything but smiling faces.

Perhaps these people know something that they can teach the world in these tough economic times. They seem to have cornered the market on joy, not mere happiness which is a fleeting emotion. The people of Garbage City live simply. They do not take their lives or health for granted. The take care of the bit of the earth they have been given.. They work hard, value family, and hold tight to their faith. They have a willingness to adapt, met challenges, and embrace new technologies I believe these are the reasons for their joy.

It is the residents' willingness to adapt that makes Garbage City the perfect place to try out cutting-edge green technologies. United States philanthropist, Thomas Culhane has brought the mission of his charity, Solar CITIES, to the people of Garbage City.

Solar CITIES is an organization that places solar-water panels and bio-gas systems in various locations. These systems and panels are able to convert garbage into gas. According to Culhane, "Families that have this [garbage] are disaster proof, economic-recession proof. They always have at least two hours of gas on their roof from their garbage."

Hanna Fathy, 30, was the first of the cities residents to try the system. He placed his kitchen waste into barrels. The barrels are sealed. Heat builds within the barrel and the bacteria inside, digests the waste and produces methane gas. The result, Fathy has as much as two hours of cooking gas every day.

Although these people live uncomplicated lives, they are not afraid to embrace advanced technology. Although the citizens of Garbage City understand the value technologies, in light of the larger global picture, they are not embracing the technologies because of the need to go 'green', but rather because it is beneficial to them.

Culhane stated, "This is about saving their environment, their children, their families. And they care so much about that they are willing to invest everything they have, and take tremendous risks so that they can live a healthier life..." In speaking of the technology, Culhane said, "When we start sharing with each other solutions that are simple and effective and that are safe... it will travel like a wave and spread over the entire planet... They [the people of Garbage City] build the devices with their own hands. That is their investment in the project."

For the time being, Culhane's charity continues to pay for the expensive equipment. It would cost a family living in Garbage City, three months salary to purchase the biogas system, and six months salary for each solar water panel.

Culhane is hoping his investment pays off when Garbage City will lead the way in green technologies. In the meantime, the residents of Garbage City will continue to live on a garbage heap, loving their children, and their Lord. This is how they choose to survive their tough economic times.

Next time you see a recycled postcard, of a hand-woven purse turn it over. It may be marked that it was made in Garbage City.

FYI- Ten Thousand Village carries products produced in Garbage City. They are a non-profit organization. Check with them to see if they have any products for sale that may benefit the residents of Garbage City. The Swine Flu pandemic has hurt this area. Many of the residents had pigs; these pigs were slaughtered by outsiders of the city due to lack of understanding of the spread of the disease.

Sources:

http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Egypt/Lower-Egypt/Cairo/blog-70136.html

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=7823699&page=1