The Egyptian village of Kafr Torky lies along the banks of the Nile, seemingly a world away from the passions that played out further north, in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Yet even in such a bucolic setting, the demonstrations and ultimate victory of the protesters proved riveting. Villagers share some of the same complaints, especially economic, that are still bringing protests in the nation's cities.
Rural Egyptians Welcome Change, Economic Worries Linger
The entrance to Kafr Torky, largely spared the unrest, but hoping to benefit from a changing Egypt, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
Villager Ragab el-Gazzar defends former President Hosni Mubarak, but welcomes change, Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
Even with a national uprising, farmers must till the soil. Near Kafr Torky, Egypt, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
The Nile has allowed agriculture to flourish for millenia, but a farmer's life remains hard . Near Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
Ragab el-Gazzar, right, with daughters and friend, Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
Religion also plays a key role in the mainly Muslim country. Near Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
But even in the village, satellite dishes bring news of events roiling the nation and the region, Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
School has been suspended during the unrest, giving children an unexpected break, Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
A young girl swings in the doorway to her the family's baking shed, Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo- E. Arrott)
It's not all play. A boy carries crops from a nearby field, Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
Other children also help out, using a common mode of transport, Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
Cattle outside the houses of Kafr Torky, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
Poultry have the run of the courtyard of one villager's house in Kafr Torky (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
Near Kafr Torky, women carry seed and fertilizer for the soil, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)
A girl plays at the edge of Kafr Torky, Egypt, February 13, 2011 (VOA photo - E. Arrott)