Week 3 (part 2) - Garbage City

As part of our classes we looked at examples of different world views, and of transformational development.

First we looked at Garbage City in Cairo, Egypt and the work of Father Samaan.

You can see the video in two parts on You Tube: EL-ZABBALEEN: The Garbage Collectors of Egypt Part 1 and EL-ZABBALEEN: The Garbage Collectors of Egypt Part 2.  I highly recommend the videos.

The people in garbage city are the lowest of the low: Egypt's untouchables. But the garbage people of Cairo are not forgotten by God.  Father Samaan looked to share God's Love and Light in the Darkness of an area forgotten by others.  He approached people with tender love and gentleness, understanding that the people had an incredibly low value for themselves.  He was not there to try to convert them, but over many years (decades) he looked to love these people and live among them. 

Some of the things that really struck me about this was the incredible love and patience of Father Samaan over many years, and his obedience to God.  Ultimately, though the community still has its problems, it that has been transformed, it has direction and purpose.  I see people who are transformed, and whilst they may still work as garbage collectors, I hope they realise their value is not tied to what they do, but who they are.  Certainly I believe that the change in work ethic is testament to this.