Yesterday, I went through the community we are trying to revitalize, Al-Darb Al-Ahmr (the Red Street). Some background: during the reign of Muhammad Ali, many thousands of people were killed and their blood ran through to this community, hence the name. Just a little history.
This community is extremely poor. An average family of 6 has a monthly income of $91. Parents encourage their children to skip the education route starting at the primary level and to start working. Children are working from as young as 6 years old. Many of these children have grown up to be violent because of the maltreatment they faced by the owners of workshops they were working in.
One of my colleagues asked a 13 year old boy if he saw himself getting married or having children. The boy responded that he would never marry because his family is too poor. He is obligated to work to provide care for this siblings and his father. I cannot even begin to imagine what responsibility like that feels like at such a young age. My biggest concerns as a 13 year old were things like, I really hope my mom will let me wax my stache or whether I should buy the No Doubt or Savage Garden cd.
There were donkeys, stray cats and dogs everywhere. Waste Management is a huge issue that we are trying to work on. I cannot even begin to describe how terrible it smelled and the number of flies! Not hundreds, but thousands of them. At home, if I see a shoe fly sitting on my food, I refuse to eat it. Life is very different here.
So, as I am venturing through this community I am taking pictures. Some of the oldest mosques and monuments in the city are located within and to think hundreds of years ago, the Fatimid Imams walked these same streets. WOW. Anyway, I'm snapping away and every now and again my friend (who speaks some Arabic) would say, "Yo, put your camera away." People were getting offended that I was taking pictures of their rough lifestyle. Understandable.
One particular woman had quite a bit to say and I insisted that my friend translate.
"You damn western pigs, coming in here thinking you own the place. Stealing our money and wrecking everything." I'm sure I was given the PG version. I feel sorry for her. So much anger toward someone she doesn't even know. Maybe next time I should give her some anti-wrinkle cream as a token, she'll certainly need it!
All else is well. My lunch is coming from Al-Darb Al-Ahmr. No health codes. Lots of flies. Who am I?! I've transformed.
Love,
Babe, your neighborhood friendly pig-sheep dog
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Maybe it's better said: "to think hundreds of years ago, the Fatimid Imams were carried through these same streets."
ReplyDeleteI don't know that many rulers went out for promenades in those days.
I love your description of your concerns at age 13. TOO funny~ great post.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've learned (and heard) Imam Hakim bi-amr Allah used to dress up as a common person and wander.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, carried or walked, still cool.