Weeds, winter gardens and “Garbage Dreams”…

What a day! I spent a lovely, crisp morning learning about wild edibles and the fine art of winter gardening from Cindy Moonrose (a recent guest on our show). I was one of a group of eight enthusiastic “students”, wandering from garden to garden on a patch of the beautiful 27 acre homestead Cindy shares with husband Martin (also an avid gardener and ecologist) in west Nashville, and learning so much from her expertise, gained through years of applied study. Fun, exhilarating and very worthwhile for the aspiring gardener like me!
This afternoon I attended a viewing of a powerful documentary at the Nashville Public Library, as part of their “Independent Lens” series, a collection of independently created documentaries shown weekly on PBS subsidiaries around the country (here in Nashville it’s NPT / channel 8, Tuesdays at 9pm) covering a wide array of subject matter and focused on people, communities and issues often overlooked by more mainstream films and media.
“Garbage Dreams” tells the story of the Zaballeen, the poorest class of people living on the edge of Cairo, Egypt who have made their living almost exclusively from the collection and recycling of Cairo’s garbage for over 100 years. Now their only livelihood is being eroded as Cairo’s government has contracted with foreign companies to fulfill this job; companies with far more revenue, technology and equipment than that of the Zaballeen, whose population of 60,000 is largely uneducated and illiterate. The documentary depicts their struggle to be recognized and valued by Cairo residents and government officials for their superior experience and handling of the waste (80% is separated by hand for recycling by the Zaballeen, as opposed to the foreign companies’ recycling rate of only 20%), as seen through the eyes of three young men; Adahm, Osama, and Nabil. Each of these teenagers must choose their response to the crisis being faced by their people, and the realization that the only way of life they’ve ever known is slipping away.

The viewer is also confronted with a stark depiction of a people whose level of poverty and exposure to health risks and disease through the direct handling of garbage would seem intolerable to most. Even young children wade routinely through this sea of debris that fills every corner of their neighborhoods, and begin working with it at an age that would surely seem a violation of child labor laws in order to help support the family. Yet despite these grim realities, there is a strong sense of community, of faith, and even of happiness among the Zaballeen people. This is exemplified beautifully in the passionate spirit of one woman, a caring social worker in her community and a tireless champion and advocate for the rights and dignity of her people.
I was deeply moved by the plight of these people, by their meager existence and their amazing will to survive. While not as blatantly devastating as the recent earthquake in Haiti and the untold suffering and loss of life there, I was reminded, as I was with the stories of Haitians young and old who remained trapped under rubble for days and still managed to smile and give thanks to God when rescued, of the power of the human spirit to overcome seemingly impossible odds and still find life, love and gratitude. Despite the presence of darkness, one is humbled and inspired by the light.