A.P.E. works with the informal garbage collectors of Cairo known as the Zabbaleen (literally meaning garbage collector in Arabic). Our aim is to help this traditionally marginalized group find innovate ways to support the environment and aid themselves. Our focus is on developing environmentally sound waste management and recycling techniques, which help to build the human capacity of the Zabbaleen communities, to "recycle and re-use". Our 25 years of experience working with the Zabbaleen is proof that environmental, social and economic development can go hand in hand. Through the many programs of A.P.E., women especially, have become empowered to build better lives for themselves. Our income generating programs have helped generations of women improve their circumstances.