People of the Nile | Al Jazeera World
355,727
Published 2015-04-16
This film takes an intimate look at the everyday lives of two families living on the Nile. Salama Saeed left school when he was 12 years old to become a fisherman. Back then, fishing was a profitable job; now, it is a hand-to-mouth existence, as fish stocks have steadily depleted. Saeed, his wife and three children live on a boat near Giza.
Every day, he takes his two young sons to the shore so they can go to school. Saeed is now trying to save money for his younger daughter's dowry.
Sayed al-Sayed was born on the Nile and lives on a boat with his wife and two little daughters. His parents also live on a boat. Unlike Saeed, Sayed does not have an identity card. Being unregistered means it is difficult for him to seek medical treatment for him and his family.
The families are sometimes questioned by the river police who monitor the illegal use of electrofishing, a method of catching fish by stunning them, and must avoid the territorial gangs who control some parts of the Nile.
For Saeed and Sayed's families who live, eat, work and sleep on small boats, life is a daily struggle and the families dream of a better life on dry land.
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All Comments (21)
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This video moved me. In March 2016, I will be going to Cairo for my nephew's wedding. My itinerary will now include a visit to the Nile and to try to meet Salama Al-Sayyed. I will pay falouka, a boat, to help me locate him and his family. I am so impressed with his goal of letting his two boys go to school. I value education over anything else. If I find them, I will take the boys to the market,mall and buy them what they need in school. Maybe I can buy them a functioning laptop here that costs around $300 so they can use it for their studies. I hope I will find them there in Cairo. Just a small act of love I want to offer them.
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“Poor people are most often generous” i loved it when he invited a man from the other boat for some tea.. he’s heart is so rich God bless them🙏🏻🙏🏻
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i've watched many documentaries but this one touches my heart so much. i hope these people have their own houses by now.
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So hard to keep one's spirits up when one knows one is doomed. My heart goes out to these good people.
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The cost of one channel or versace bag can buy them a better boat ...and a designer dress can buy then a one room house as they said they needed ....Some people have a bigger shower then that boat ....people need to appreciate what they have ..After watching this I feel even more humbled and grateful ..alhamdulilah ... its really sad seeing people buy expensive makeup and designer bags and fancy unwanted decorations for the house when 5 people live on space smaller than my washroom .....If I ever want to do anything is to help people like this ..may Allah bless them and protect them ...
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Thank you (Shukran) for this beautiful documentary. It is my hope (InshAllah) that the river recovers through scientific counter-measures and the fish populations recover so that fisherman families can earn their livelihood. I for one believe it is fantastic the effort the children do going to school and doing their homework on the boat. All the best from Greenland.
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i hope these beautiful people can get some help to get them an apartment or house to live in. this breaks my heart to see people with children living like this !!
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They are such good and courageous people! They earn an honest living, without harming anyone. Their kids are happy and treated well. These people need help from the government, their good hearts is what we need on this earth.
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It made me tears.....May Allah continue to bless you with abundant grace from sea .may he always .protect this family from any danger!!!!😭😭😭😭
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As usual you guys came through with another award winner. Thank You for allowing the world to view.
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One of the Best Documentary i have ever seen, breathing. Well done Aljazira
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I feel so sad to see how these people struggle in there life, those kids without a roof over there head, not allowed to have ID card just because they born on the boat, they are citizens of Egypt like all Egyptians, even though those people going thru this hardship they still manage to smile.. Gov need to help these people, at least provide them with basics needs, when they ill they can at least have access to healthcare. Egypt is a rich country with so much resources where all these money going. I sincerely hope that Al Jazeera had paid them to do this documentary.
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wow amazing I lived in Egypt for almost 5 years. . I remember the mosquitos in summer. . bless and keep them safe..
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So nice but heartbreaking documentary, Nile is amazing river, i have crossed it from Luxor to Aswan. I will never forget, one of the most beautiful moments in my whole life.
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very good documentary we always complain about life but people that have nothing just work more harder
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can't bring myself continue watching its really break my heart,this is what I teach my kids everything or nothing always be thankful,humble,kind,sharing especially always put God first. #TYL
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Thank you very much for this doco beautifully filmed and My heart goes out to these good people.
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Congratulations to Sherif Helal - this doco beautifully filmed.
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I will say this; as an Ethiopian, I couldn't be happier that my people and our brothers and sisters in the beautiful country of Egypt have finally reached an accord, vis-a-vis, The Nile :)!!! That having been said, however, I believe Aljazeera is a bit biased on certain topics. Case in point; the last piece they had about "bloggers" in Ethiopia couldn't have been any more warped. So happy I'm subscribed so I can be more involved and keep up the good work, otherwise :D!!!
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Very simple quite hard life I love Egypt insha’allah one day visit Egypt
