Bazaar Story: Teen Ministry

Teen Ministry brings love and hope into the lives of teenage girls living in the “garbage city” in Cairo, Egypt. Girls at Teen Ministry collect, sort, and clean garbage for their families to sell all day long. Their families can’t afford to send their daughters to school, struggle to provide enough food to eat, and often walk the mounds of trash barefoot.

These girls risk stepping on needles, broken glass, or sharp metal every day because they don’t have shoes to protect their feet. Medical waste is dangerous to handle but can be sold for a high price. These girls seek out hazardous medical waste to help their families earn more money.

The childhood of these girls is cut short by the harshness of adult life they are faced with at such a young age. Many of these “garbage city” teens end up abused and neglected. These precious girls are vulnerable to abuse from men in the garbage district. Sometimes these men promise to feed a girl a “nice meal” (such as at a fast food restaurant—something a family could never afford) if she converts to Islam. If a teen refuses, she will suffer abuse. Instead, one of the things Teen Ministry offers is meals and treats girls to a “nice meal” with the love of Christ instead of manipulation.

Teen Ministry also steps into their world by providing a safe place where girls from the slums can receive medical and dental services, learn about hygiene, receive clothing and a pair of shoes, receive funding to attend school, and hear the gospel.

Because of their involvement with Teen Ministry, girls like Sarah and Brooke, who never dreamed of attending school and breaking out of “garbage city,” are now excelling in their education. Despite her entire family being illiterate, Sarah is rising to the top in her studies. And Brooke’s academic pursuits have many teachers convinced that she’ll become a college professor one day. Both Sarah and Brooke have hope not only in a brighter future thanks to Teen Ministry but in a foundation rooted in Christ.