Tuesday, August 23, 2011

La Chureca..... The Dump

Talk about a tough life!  

The 2000 people that live in the dump and will, most likely, do so their entire life.  They live in "houses" made from trash they have collected from the garbage trucks that come all day long. 

Notice the bed spring fence and hose fence, sink and couch, all items collected from trash.



Their main source of income comes from sifting through the garbage to collect recyclables which brings in an average income per household of $8 a week.

The children help gather among the buzzards circling and livestock searching for food.





Organized Chaos.  Among the "town" made of garbage there are streets, house numbers, 
a medical clinic and a school... all within the walls of the dump!




The hardest part for me to think about is the young girls.  They are the most at risk.  Life in the dump is filled with abuse, violence, prostitution and teen mothers.  I can't image an age where we are watching our little girls play soccer and go to the mall..... these little girls are being abused and becoming moms.


I met  darling little Jennifer this last trip in front of her home.  I was amazed later that day when SHE brought her younger brother to the feeding center alone.  Maybe two and four years old?

Many groups and local Nicaraguans minister to the people of La Chureca providing help, love and spiritual guidance.  Forward Edge International is the non-profit organization that I work with (www.forwardedge.org).  They have built this amazing home from the most at risk girls to live in safety, eat, go to school and learn how to be women of God.  
Some of the original 16 girls in 2008 at Villa Esperanza


Their parents have given guardianship to FEI to raise them and give them a better life.  It is a sacrifice unimaginable to me!  They still get to visit and see their families Their impact on them and La Chureca is an amazing thing to watch unfold.


I've got to sign off for today, I'm getting homesick for my girls!






2 comments:

  1. Reading about these children whose life seems destitute from the beginning makes me truly want to believe in reincarnation--that they will be born into another life. A life not filled with abuse and violence and exploitation.

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