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Solar Cities and Spirit of Youth

They are called the Zabaleen, meaning trash collectors.  They live in one of Egypt’s poorest regions, not far from Cairo.  For generations their families have made a living by recycling trash from the nearby capital, but the young people these days see solar power as their hope for a better future, environmentally and financially. 

Their current project is installing solar powered water heaters on the rooftops of businesses and homes in their region and surrounding areas.  Through training they received from Solar Cities, a global environmental advocacy group, the Spirit of Youth team has learned to construct these systems out of recycled materials so the costs and environmental impact are extemely low.  The systems are mutually beneficial because they allow citizens to reduce their dependence on the high-priced and dangerous kerosene fueled burners that are generally used to heat water; and they create revenue for the young people who build and install them. 

As word of their work begins to spread, Spirit of Youth hopes to be able to continue training and adding new workers as they move toward their goal of  “a million solar roofs by and for the urban poor”.  At that rate they may not be “poor” very long.

-JH

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