Kattamia

The developed recycling center in Kattamia also includes a cultural center for workers who wanted to “learn and earn” so that they could benefit developmentally as well as economically. While APE’s primary goal has been to improve the lives and the livelihoods of the garbage collecting community, the approach that it took encompassed far more than just practical help and resulted in something that is often missing once outside help leaves – sustainability.

In acting as an intermediary between the Zabbaleen and critical resources in the public sector, APE volunteers became emotionally and physically invested in the Zabbaleen communities. That investment, which made human development the main objective, advanced the goal for long-term sustainability by providing the communities they served with the communication and leadership skills they needed for personal development (Ford KC, 2003). In addition, it was that same emotional and physical involvement that helped APE successfully alter the mind-set of the Zabbaleen when it later became necessary for them to be separated from their garbage activities.

Sewing and Production of Clothes Unit
This program started its activities in March 2002 as an income generating project for young women to help them to learn a skill and acquire an alternative source of income. The project aims at improving the livelihood of young women and to help them integrate into the wider community.

Organic Compost Unit
A composting plant at APE began with recycling organic pig manure into high grade compost which in turn was sold to re-claimers of desert lands and agriculturists. This project allowed the residents of the neighborhood to clean out their pig sites on a regular basis and not let such unhealthy waste pile up in their homes, thus reducing the health hazards to the household. The income earned from the sale of the compost was directed to a community-based health project, an income generating project (Rug recycling for girls and women) and literacy classes as well as field trips and recreation.

A composting plant at APE began with recycling organic pig manure into high grade compost which in turn was sold to re-claimers of desert lands and agriculturists. This project allowed the residents of the neighborhood to clean out their pig sites on a regular basis and not let such unhealthy waste pile
up in their homes, thus reducing the health hazards to the household. up in their homes, thus reducing the health hazards to the household. The income earned from the sale of the compost was directed to a community-based health project, an income generating project (Rug recycling for girls and women) and literacy classes as well as field trips and recreation.

The regular disposal of animal waste from residents homes makes their dwelling cleaner places inside the home. In 1991, the number of homes cleaned out by APE came up to 26. In 1993, 256 homes participated in that scheme. If the association were not to engage in this activity, residents of Mokattam garbage settlement would either postpone cleaning out their animal pens until the environment became hazardous to human health, or enlist the services of a private contractor who charges exploitative rates for the service of cleaning out organic Manure and transporting it outside the settlement. The crude compost contains harmful bacteria to the land. APE carries out farmer education outreach to information about the hazards of using crude organic waste.

Planting

Recycling Machinery Production and Training Unit
A centre for training and production of recycling machines was established in 1998 to provide opportunities and employment for unemployed and marginalized youth. The centre designs and produces machines used for recycling solid waste, and provides many employment opportunities.