A school in the garbage city.

Cairo, Egypt. We went over to Ezbet El Nakhl, the second largest garbage city in Cairo, with 20,000 people who live there. It’s smaller than the main one but the needs are just as great. Perhaps greater.

There is a great ministry at this garbage city with a school for kids. The Mahaba (Agape) School has has shifts during the day and evening so about 2,600 students are learning to read and write. I visited the school with two of my daughters and some friends.

Of course Mahaba can’t accept all the students which is really sad. It’s weird how we in the West complain about going to school and here the kids cry when they cannot attend. It’s their only chance at a normal life. Students come to school for free but there is a need for sponsorship – about US$330 a year covers tuition for one student.

We also visited a class of older girls who are learning skills in sewing and crafts. Many of them never went to school and cannot read or write. I think my daughters were realizing what a privileged life they have enjoyed.

This ministry, called The Daughters of St Mary Convent, also runs the Salam Hospital which treats over 200 patients a day. Dr Adel showed us around the various operating rooms. But the greatest need, says Dr Adel and Sister Maria [below], is a new school.