LOVE, DAD

On the outskirts of Cairo, lies an entire city made out of, and built on top of discarded trash. It’s home to the Zabaleen - ‘people of the garbage’ - who collect, and recycle everything from old food, plastic wrappers, tires, to aluminum cans. Each family has a specific role, from the smallest child to the oldest grandparent, sorting the waste and continuing the family business. 25 years ago, A woman named Maggie Groban, known as ‘Mama Maggie,’ did something unexpected. She started a school right in the heart of Garbage City. A first for the Zabaleen. Suddenly, families had a hard choice to make. One that would surely cost them immediate profit loss by not putting the kids to work. However, a few brave parents took a risk - and put their kids in the school.
In collaboration with Bittersweet Foundation
bittersweetmonthly.com/stories/sweetness-in-the-garbage-slums

DIRECTOR, DP, EDITOR
Brandon Bray

Executive Producer:
Kate Schmidgall

2nd Camera Operator, Associate Producer:
Stephen Jeter

Audio:
Kate Schmidgall

Assistant Camera Operator, US
Joey Diaz

Still Photography:
Stephen Jeter
Dave Schmidgall

Production Company
DECADE

Score
Max LL, “The Wild”
Chad Lawson, “Restless One”

Managing Director, DECADE:
Bailey Skiles

Managing Director, Bittersweet Creative:
Dave Baker

Cast
Young Girl:
Demenia

Medical Student:
Basma Rizk

Father & Aluminum Worker:
Ali

Special Thanks:
Marty Makary
Mama Maggie
Emad Ibrahem
Maha Victor
Freefly Systems

Cairo Fixers:
Makarios Nassar
Adham
Moussa