I really love this country – these people get inside my heart. Especially those at Zambiza (the city dump).
Zambiza will always and forever break me. The workers at the dump are some of Quito’s poorest. Many used to live in the dump, but the government does not allow this any longer. I cannot comprehend a life that is lived in a dump. Raising children, searching for food, building a “home” from what can be collected, digging for materials to sell to the recycling… Even after 4 years, I still cannot wrap my mind around such a life. The workers may not live in the dump any longer, but most (if not all) still have an equivalent standard of living. For instance, many now build their “homes” directly outside of the dump. About 3 weeks ago, those homes were razed by the government – leaving many of these workers homeless once again. All I can do, the only reaction that is worth anything, is to pray and love.
Here is a video that shows the daily reality of those who build their lives on the city’s garbage:
Be sure to check out the other Extreme Response videos as well – I believe that they will show up as related videos in YouTube.
much love, Court
Glad to hear Ecuador is going well! Thanks for hitting my blog too! Always interesting to see where people are coming from.
Quito showing up threw me for a minute.