Living in a poor neighbourhood of Cairo, Umm Ali has raised eight children with almost no help from her husband or the Egyptian government. This book draws on the author's firsthand experience of Umm Ali's life to create an intimate portrait of Cairo's back streets and the people who live there.

Thus Umm Ali sums up the nearly impossible challenge of her daily existence. Living in a poor neighborhood of Cairo, she has raised eight children with almost no help from the husband or the Egyptian government and through hardships from domestic violence to constant quarrels over material possessions. As Umm Ali recounts triumphs and defeats, she unveils a deeply reflective attitude and her unwavering belief that she can improve her situation. Showing how Egyptian culture interprets poverty and family, this book attests to the capacity of an individual's self-worth to withstand incredible adversity.