Egypt's annual cotton harvest began in the month of September, and thousands of children from poor villages in Fayoum are flocking again into the fields to pick cotton beneath a late summer sun.
In the 19th century, cotton made Egypt rich. In today's market, Egyptian cotton is still considered one of the world's finest kinds, but farmers cannot earn enough growing it to cover costs. Many farmers have switched to growing wheat and corn.
In the 19th century, cotton made Egypt rich. In today's market, Egyptian cotton is still considered one of the world's finest kinds, but farmers cannot earn enough growing it to cover costs. Many farmers have switched to growing wheat and corn.
A young girl is seen in the early morning holding a bucket filled up with cotton as she harvests the cotton crop in Fayoum.
Young boys remove cotton from its stems as they harvest the cotton crop in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A young boy puts cotton into a sack as he harvests the cotton crop in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A farmer removes cotton from its stems as he harvests the cotton crop in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A young boy removes cotton from its stems as he harvests the cotton crop in Fayoum.
A sack of cotton is seen at the field during the annual cotton harvest season in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A young boy holds a sack of cotton over his shoulder on his way to empty it into a larger sack in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A young man puts cotton into a large sack in preparation of transporting the cotton crop to home in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A cattle egret is seen at a cotton field in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A young boy removes cotton from its stems as he harvests the cotton crop in Fayoum.
A young boy removes cotton from its stems as he harvests the cotton crop in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A young girl holds an empty bucket over her head as she harvests cotton in Fayoum.
Young boys remove cotton from its stems as they harvest the cotton crop in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
Young boys remove cotton from its stems as they harvest the cotton crop in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A young boy removes cotton from its stems as he harvests the cotton crop in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A young boy removes cotton from its stems as he harvests the cotton crop in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
A farmer holds a sack of cotton over his head during the annual cotton harvest season in Fayoum, southern Cairo, Egypt.
