Child labor in Egypt: The 'Zosar School' for hand made carpets

Children who work in Egypt are just everywhere. Human rights organizations report that more than 1 million children work everyday even 12 hours per day to help their families. The Child Labor Law prohibits children working under the age of 14 and many years now there is a campaing under Suzanne Mubarak (the first lady).
The only thing we can do about it is to BOYCOTT PRODUCTS WHICH ARE MADE BY CHILDREN!
Here is the case of a carpet 'school' which under the face of training children are working making carpets. The carpets are sold in high prices and the kids take almost nothing.
The school is located on the way to Sakkara pyramides (15 klm away from El Harm St Maryotea - Sakkara Tourism Rd. near Abou Sear bridge). We visited the school on the day of Coptic christmas. The area is largely Coptic, so only the Muslim kids were working that day. In normal days the school has more than 30 'students' who work first and after go to school. The area has 7 more school like this one. And as you can see, kids are productive...
BOYCOTT PRODUCTS WHICH ARE MADE IN THIS WAY!
Complain actively to the owners: Malaak (002-0125812238), Sophy (002-0123607886) [the second speaks very good English].

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Zosar School
• child labor
• child labour
• Egypt
• pyramides
• Sakkara
• handmade carpets
• human rights
• boycott

[dimabilangirl138]

that's so sad :[

(btw what song is this?)

[ObserveEgypt]

Really embarrassed to say I don't know... I was one of the choices youtube gives. I've tried to find it, but unfortunately no luck... Sorry

[mishawisha01]

Is it a family business maybe. If it was rly hard child labour the adults woldnt hav let u film it

[DXWXMX44]

They look like they are enjoying their work - like playing a video game, probably more valuable to them. When you get down and look at accusations of abuse what seems like tough school and hard training prepares them for learning with confidence what is ahead. An example of true abuse is taking away respect of self-sufficiency such as welfare.

[12Shilo12]

I'm going to have to agree with a couple others who posted replies, Egypt is a very poor nation (well most of the people are) and they have to do what they need to in order to survive. And apparently that includes the children doing what they can to help.

I went to a different and much nicer carpet school while I was there and I don't think there's any proof that the finished product in the school's store comes from the children. Check out my video "Egypt (Memphis / Carpet School)".

[jamiepangle]

These children have to work and are happy to do so to help their families. Some people in egypt are poor and just like the old days that we so often forget everyone in the family contributes.This is a different culture families take care of eachother and yes at least they are learning a trade. These kids arent slaves that have been bought or stolen they are kids that need and want the work to survive, their goverment doesnt have welfare, no money no food .

[didgeowens]

How much time did you spend in Egypt, and how many other children did you see? The ones I saw in the carpet school were far more comfortable than some of the others. People in Egypt are terribly poor and at least these children are learning a trade. You cannot look at one image and pass judgement.