Worker Story continued Part 4

So my partner and I are still on the story about worker's living conditions. Yesterday we followed one of the buses to al-Hay al-'Ashir, where the camp is located.

We weren't quite sure what we were going to do with the location information once we got it. We didn't plan on entering the camps (it's too dangerous for a woman, even I'll admit that), and we couldnt send another camera in. So we figured if we know where it at least we'll have a starting point.

The camp is not really a camp. It's more an unfinished building. The workers are let off at the corner of a street, and forced to walk over hills, and jump holes to get home. There are no lights, and no roads. The building is a brick structure without windows and doors. I can't imagine the have plumbing and electricity since we didn't see any wires around. It was pitch black though, so I'm not sure. All in all the walk to the camps seemed bad enough, and is indicative of the standard of living inside the "camp".

My professor told me "the sign of a good editor is one who knows when to hold off on a story." I talked to Reham about that on our way back from the camp. It was dangerous in there. Is it worth getting hurt?

"The thing is Samcrete is going to do this to other people after the AUC project is done," said Reham. "Maybe if we do this story gets published Sami Saad won't be able to do this kind of thing to workers again."

Spoke too soon (Lessons Learned Pt. 3)

As I opened the door to Kodak, I felt my heart skip a beat. This was huge, we had exclusive footage of the workers camp. We were going to write a breaking story, and it might really make a difference in someone's life!

Imagine my shock when the main behind the counter said: "Empty."

"Empty? What's empty?" I said.

"The film, it's empty. It wasn't put in right, or someone opened it. We can't find any pictures on the film."

So it's back to the drawing board. My partner Reham and I are determined, and we are learning a lot in the process.

As my professor would say, we are "eager beavers." I just hope we aren't going on a wild goose chase.

Withdrawing

There is an air of tension at the American University in Cairo right now. Students are busy studying for their finals, preparing their final projects and presentations and scrambling to get research done.

This semester has been hectic, to say the least. Delays in lab openings and unstable internet have made it difficult for the professors. In these last few weeks professors have been attempting to make up for lost time. Everything seems to be coming at once. Many students have just given up.

According to Dr. Nayla Hamdy, more students have submitted requests to withdraw from classes this semester than any other semester. They just can't handle the stress any more and would rather repeat the class. Furthermore, she says even though the withdrawal deadline was the 26th of November, she was still signing forms yesterday (November 30th).

I wonder what President Arnold, and Provost Lisa Anderson's thoughts are on this situation. What does it say about AUC's quality of education if so many students are unable to complete the coursework? I also wonder what reasons students are giving for withdrawing. Are most students just unable to handle the pressures at the end of the semester?

Perhaps this would be a good online story......

Bad luck streak broken (Lessons Learned Pt. 2)

This semester has been difficult on everyone. I've dealt with accidents and flooding apartments on top of everything else. But today that changed, and I got the break I have been waiting for.

This morning I woke up determined to find a way to help our man. Yet, I waked onto campus with an anxious step, worried at what I might have done.

Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised.

Our worker in distress had been cleared. He filed a formal statement this morning saying the camera was his. The authorities warned him that if a camera was reported stolen, he would be responsible. He agreed, and was let go.

His supervisor met with us to tell us the good news.

"He's fine and will not be facing charges," he said.

Then he pulled out the camera, with about 20 pictures of the camp. Our mission has succeeded, our man is off the hook and we have exclusive pictures. It all worked out in the end.


But I haven't forgotten my two lessons learned.

Lessons Learned

I want to be a journalist to fight for the oppressed and make the world a better place. Things seemed to be going as planned, but this week I made a mistake that may cost a worker his job.

The workers were housed at the edge of the AUC campus earlier this semester, but they were moved to a new camp last month. One of the workers took pictures of the camp on his camera phone, and brought the issue to the Caravan newsroom.

The company has them in small rooms with no furniture, and make-shift walls. There is a bucket at the corner of the room that is their bathroom. There are about 36 people in each of these small compartments.

Reham and I planned to the camp to take pictures, get interviews and find out why these men were living in such conditions. Unfortunately for us, we weren't able to make it out to the buses on time, and so couldn't find the camp. We asked our contact what we should do and he didn't have any suggestions.

I came up with what I thought was the greatest idea ever. Why not buy a disposable camera, and have the workers take the pictures themselves? I asked the supervisor if the men were checked before they went to the camp, and he said no. I asked if it would be dangerous, and he said no.

So I bought a camera and I gave it to him. The next day Reham called me, and told me the camera had been found by security and they were accusing the worker with the camera of theft.

We then called our staff adviser for assistance, something we should have done before handing the camera over. Understandably he was not happy with the situation. You can't have someone else do your work, he told me. If you can't get into a restricted area, you can't get in.

At first I pushed back. I didn't understand the concept. I didn't plant the camera on him without his consent. He knew what he was getting himself into. However, I've spent all day thinking about it, and it actually makes perfect sense.

I am a journalist. I've chosen as a profession, and I understand that it involves taking risks at times. If I get caught, or get in an trouble because of my reporting, I will have the backing of my organization or network (as long as I keep them in the loop). However, what I did with that worker was put a burden on his shoulders that he has no protection from. He has no network, no editor and no university behind him. To his employer he's just a worker, a dispensable worker at that. To put my job in his hands was irresponsible and shortsighted.

Tomorrow I am heading over to the university to try to talk to Samsung, and see if I can rectify my mistake. I am pessimistic about our chances of getting his job back, but will be doing everything in my power to assist him.

So all in all two lessons learned:
1. Always keep your editor up to date on your reporting
2. NEVER EVER give someone else a camera or mic and say "go report on this"

I'll keep you posted on the status of the worker.

This week's caravan

I am all for new ideas. I love picking up the Caravan and getting an in-depth look at specific angles at AUC. I loved the idea of a picture edition, and thought it would work out very well.

Unfortunately Caravan missed its mark this week. Many students were uninterested in the issue, and many others were just offended.

I realize the Caravan is understaffed. It's been a hell of a semester for all of us. Asmaa and Reham, the editor in chief and managing editor, worked really hard to keep the students up to date and informed. I also know that the Caravan is lacking specificlly on the Arabic side. There aren't enough students who know how to read and write arabic.

I also understand that as a journalist you sometimes need to be offensive. But this issue didnt need that. The second page of the Arabic side was supposed to show the city life we left behind, and how sad it is that we are stuck out in the desert. Yet, when I look at the pictures published I think , I'm glad i dont have to be there any more. Since when does a butcher, a homeless man on the street, and the guy smoking shisha represent Cairo life? Where's the beautiful architecture? Where's the fakahani? Perhaps it would have been a better page if they had added images that show the beauty of Cairo, and what we all really miss about it.

The page after was a comparison between Ain Shams University and AUC. A number of students approached me, angry and upset about this page. The page read:

The difference between Ain Shams University and AUC is the difference between the old-fashioned and the modern, the wealthy and the middle class, the complex and the simple

The students said the pictures made AUC students look like the rich spoiled kids, and the students of Ain Shams the polar opposite. More important, they say that they have been to Ain Shams, and this is not representative of that community.

Perhaps next semester the Caravan will try to truely reach out to the Egyptian community by finding common issues we all can associate with. This may be a better angle than further distancing ourselves from the community we live in, and know so little about.

Students dodge buses

I was one of the students who decided to not pay for parking. The additional walking time didn't bug me. I am all for a little exercise. Besides, my car has been in the shop for the better part of this month, so at least I didn't waste my money on something I didn't even use.

Now, I'm starting to rethink my decision. I park outside BEC gate, where the buses come in and out. That area is, like the rest of the campus, still getting the finishing touches. There is a lot of sand, and one gate for pedestrians and vehicles. When the buses pass through, it can be life threatening.

On more than one occasion I've had to pull my friend off the road so the bus wouldn't hit us. The buses don't slow down, and they don't use their horns. Students often walk down that road idly, with their ipods on. If they don't hear the bus, I am not sure what will happen. I want to say I'm sure the bus won't hit them, but I'm not too sure.

What if one day a bus driver isn't looking and he's speeding down that hill. (We've all seen them do it). A student is walking, and realizes the pedestrian gate is closed. They make a sudden decision to walk on the road, an step on to the road. They have their headphones on, and they don't look.

WHAM!!! AUC gets sued.

I asked the security guard why the gate wasn't open, and he said he didn't know. The sidewalk is done, but the gate's closed. I would think student safety would be a pressing issue for the administration. It doesn't cost them anything to open it, but the alternative could cost someone their lives.

Old Falaki Pictures

Good-Bye Falaki :(

I was at the Tahrir Campus today for my TOEFL examination. It is official. Old Falaki is being torn down. I can't help but feel sad, like I'm losing a home.

This is only my second year here at the American University in Cairo. I'm a transfer student from George Mason University in Virginia. I'm graduating this spring (inshallah), but I feel like I in August.

I was part of the First Year Experience crew, and ours was the last orientation at the old campus. As annoyed as I was at having to orient the freshmen in the old campus, I'm happy we got those last few weeks in Falaki.

Our office was on the ground floor of the Old Falaki building, behind the Freshmen advising. We'd meet with our committee heads, and help out any way we could. By the end of August that office was bustling with activity. Students were flying in and out delivering t-shirts and bags, bringing flyer copies and student manuals, or finally arriving with lunch.

I wish I could have one day come to Falaki with my children and told them about the experience.

Just in case the gushing water didnt give it away:

Fountain in Bartlett Plaza, Outside of Library

Every time I walk by this sign I crack up. In the midst of all the seriousness that is this semester, it's great to see something as amusing as this.

I just wonder if the people who put it there really think AUC students are that stupid.......

Decisions Decisions

One of the greatest things about the new campus is all the amazing technology we are supposed to have. Mass Communication labs are equipped with brand new MAC computers. Students should be able to learn Quark, Dream Weaver and Adobe Photoshop to name a few.

But they don’t really need Internet do they?

I was working in the computer lab late Sunday night. I clicked on the Firefox button, and not surprisingly the browser told me I was not connected to the internet. I turned to the lab assistant and asked him if the internet was up.

“The network is up,” he said. “You have to restart your computer so that it can pick up the connection.”

Now I’m no computer science major but that didn’t sound right. I asked him why? What changes when I restart the computer?

“When AUC moved to the new campus they bought a program named Tunnel Guard,” he said. “You can find the little icon for it on the Windows computers. It’s not compatible on the MAC computers though. So it doesn’t tunnel the internet properly onto the MAC computers. Students are getting annoyed because they have to stop working to restart and get online.”

I was shocked. It seems to me when you are building a techonolgy friendly campus, you make sure the software you are using is compatible with ALL the computers on campus, not some.

As my roommate Jasmine put it, “just another bad decision made by AUC, what do you expect?”

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Students at the American University of Cairo are tired of being taken advantage of by the administration. They are sick of indirect answers, and want action for the grievances they have filed. However, while their concerns are legitimate their method of communication leaves much to be desired.

I’ve been reporting on a story about the sit-in that was held last Wednesday. I’m happy that the student body feels comfortable enough to be able to speak out when they feel the need. However, they proved to the administration, and many of the other students, that AUC is full of kids not adults.

The students were situated in front of the Administration building the entire day. They yelled their demands, and shouted their grievances. Eventually a crowd formed, and apparently the administration felt that something needed to be done. They sent vice president of student affairs Ashraf El-Fiqi.

I have had the pleasure of interviewing El-Fiqi earlier in the semester. I was reporting on a sensitive topic, worker harassment, and had some pointed accountability questions to ask. El- Fiqi was polite, kind and decent. Therefore, I was shocked to learn from various witnesses that he was treated with anything other than respect.

The student organizer stood with a cigarette in her hand and proceeded to yell at him. She had him stand in the sun for about forty five minutes, arguing and making demands, while the students sat behind her under an umbrella. Students who tried to voice their concerns were told to be quiet, and sit down.

In the end the sit-in was a bust because of the lack of respect. Many students refused to go to the forum because they did not want to associate themselves with such insolence. They felt that the whole situation could have been handled in a more mature manner.

I agree with the students. Although I wore my red bands yesterday, and will continue to wear them until the reasonable demands are met, I do not agree with what happened last Wednesday. I hear the students, and they are not complaining, they are giving reasonable demands. What the student body needs now is true representation. Someone who will unite them, represent them, and make their lives at AUC easier. Someone who makes them feel like they are not so out of touch from the administration.

Wait, isn’t the SU president supposed to do that?

Core Center to Minimize Pedestrian Traffic

AUC claims opening the new Core Center will minimize student pedestrian traffic on main walkways, but students are not convinced.

BY: Sarah Wali

Cairo- Construction delays have left students at the American University in Cairo (AUC) with limited seating areas. As a result, students are inconveniently located on main paths leading to classrooms.

The Bottleneck

Senior Ahmed Hendi says walking up to the library early afternoon is equivalent to fighting traffic on the October 6 Bridge. The students are seated along the borders of the AUC spine under the shade of the bridge between the Core and the SSE.

“Getting from the HUSS building to the BEC building shouldn’t take more than five minutes,” said Hendi. “But because there are so many people and booths in that area, it takes twice as long.”

Passersby may find a narrow path in the midst of the chairs. Traffic going both ways is often delayed by students greeting one another, and tensions raise when students bump into chairs and people. Junior Amr Hakeem can be found sitting along the wall of the Core Building during his breaks. He says that he, and the other students seated there, mean no harm. He picked this place because of the shade.

“The most important thing is the shade,” said Hakeem. “The shadow from the bridge and the cool air here is nice, so we sit here.”

Convenience Over Consideration

Hakeem also says students find this area convenient. It is strategically located in the midst of the academic buildings, making a quick chat with friends during breaks easy.

In addition Cinnabon, one of the campus’ three main food suppliers, is located in the plaza level of the Core Building. Long lines of customers and students enjoying their coffee add to the traffic problem.

Crowds are also found at Jared’s Bagel in the Administration Building and the Cilantro at the Main Portal. However, Cilantro is further away from classes, and Jared’s is below the building, with a narrow access corridor.


Campus Center to the Rescue “Soon”

According to Vice President of Planning and Development Paul Donoghue, AUC’s pedestrian traffic problem will be dramatically reduced with the opening of the new Campus Center. The center is located beside the library and includes all student activities, medical facilities, a daycare center, a conference center, and food.

“This is the student life of the campus and is to be the focus of all the activities,” said Donoghue. “It was designed as a whole, a little city. It’s huge.”

Students will have outdoor seating areas on two terraces which overlook the AUC Park, and the sports complex. Indoor seating is also available in the dinning room and food court. Furthermore, the completion of the sports complex will add a 24-hour Cilantro and a student’s activity center. According to Donoghue, by populating these new buildings, the pedestrian traffic problem would be greatly reduced.

However, Hakeem is not convinced.

“The people sitting in this area aren’t concerned with food or services,” said Hakeem. “They go where it is convenient. If they want food they’ll get up and get the food and come back. The only time they may move is when it gets cold. Then they will look for somewhere indoors.”



For more information on the new Campus Center at AUC visit www.aucegypt.edu.

Getting to School

One of the biggest challenges I've encountered this semester is getting to school. When we were in the downtown Tahrir campus school was a 10 to 20 minute ride. I took a cab to school, and was pretty stress free unless I was late.

This semester I have a car, and drive on a highway everyday to get to school. I see cars upside down, smashed together and over curbs every day. Buses make sharp rights and lefts, unconcerned with others on the road. Even in stop and go traffic you have to watch out. People will change lanes without warning, pushing you into a bus, like they did to me.

I had been hit twice in the span of 3 days, and both were relatively big hits. I fixed the first one, but decided to wait for any other damage with the second one. I'm glad I did.

Yesterday I got in an accident. A cab driver stopped in the middle of the road to pick up customers. I looked down, and didn't realize he was stopped. I slammed right into his bumper, and watched as his trunk flew up.

His bumper is made out of steel, and mine of plastic. When I hit the back of his car, it was as if I hit a brick wall. My bumper, hood, and vent were smashed, but only the cab’s exhaust fell off.

The police eventually arrived, and asked what happened. I told him, and let him know that it was my fault. The officer asked if I had insurance, I said yes of course. Apparently, in Egypt the insurance company can refuse to pay for damages if the accident is your fault. The officer knew this. My friend Ahmed and I were not sure what to do. We knew the report was supposed to be written in the cab driver’s favor, but if it was I would end up fixing the damages out of pocket.

“Give the driver something so that he can leave,” the officer told Ahmed. “I’ll get the police report taken care of. We won’t write what really happened or else you won’t be able to fix your car.”

I asked Ahmed how much he had given the officer, or what he told him. Nothing, he said. The guy was just being nice. We followed them to the station, quite sure that they would each end up taking something. No one does this kind of stuff out of the kindness of their hearts anymore. That’s just not Egypt.

We were wrong.

Ahmed and I had bewildered looks on our faces as we left the station with everything taken care of, and our wallets still full. The men at the station ensured that my car would be covered. They made us feel comfortable at the police station, and they restored my faith in the Egyptian community.

I’m going to take them a homemade cake.

As soon as my car is fixed.

Blaming the Contractors?

The students of the American University in Cairo were promised state of the art facilities, fountains, and restaurants at the new campus. Students, instead have been forced to begin classes in an an unfinished campus thus disrupting the semester.

Angry students, and staff have pointed fingers at the Administration. Many feel the move could have been planned better, or at least postponed. The Administration blames the contractors, and the contractors blame the Administration. According to the Caravan, the contractors were scheduled to complete the project on June 1, 2008. (see article) When it was clear the project would not be done by then, they moved the deadline to September 1. Arnold told angry parents contractors blame delays worker performance levels.

I believe the contractors.

An article in Business Today Egypt claimed in April 2008 that "7,000 perfectly synchronized workers" were working on the completion of the project. (see article) However, on a tour of the Campus Center with Paul Donoghue, Vice President of Planning and Administration, I witnessed a complete lack of enthusiasm.

Workers were milling around, talking and smoking. They sat in groups on the floor laughing. When we walked in, a few returned to the job at hand. But still a good portion just didn't care. They continued their conversation as if nothing was wrong, until they were told to move. One man was caught sleeping on a table in the unfinished Food Court.

I wasn't shocked at what I saw. My family was redoing an apartment this past summer, and without supervision the workers did nothing. Many of my friends who are moving to new homes outside of AUC are experiencing the same difficulties. While there are a great deal of skilled and motivated laborers in Egypt, there are many more that are disillusioned by the harsh living conditions here. Poverty, hopelessness, and difficult working conditions all negatively impact a worker's daily output.