Here's a potter in our community collecting dirt that will become pots, cookstoves, etc. First, he collects from this area outside the community, a place where his father and grandfather also collected from. Then, he or his father (who is around 70) have to break the dirt into fine pieces and remove any rock. He has said this is the hardest part of his job; the preperation of the materials. Third, he has to add water and then makes it into his desired product. After talking with him and witnessing him work, I validate that he works very hard, with little in return. As the only breadwinner in a family of 11, he takes his pots to souk (weekly market) and makes litte.
When asked what would help him the most, his response is that if his van could be fixed (which broke down 10 yrs ago), he could take his products to a souk in Ouarzate, 40 km away where he could collect 5x the price. It's a sad situtation, although after visiting their family you realize that they're in economic poverty, but wealthy because of their high spirits and close family. Knowing this potter for the last 2 months, I would also say he's one of the most positive people I've ever met.
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