My first encounter of the dump was driving past a pile of trash and having a flock of white Ibis fly off it. The contrast of beauty and putrid struck my heart, as did the overwhelming sense of helplessness at “discovering” a people group called catadores , or waste pickers, and seeing their daily lives and needs.
Official statistics say that a quarter of a million Brazilians engage in waste picking, and are responsible for the high rates of recycling (at least aluminum and cardboard) in Brazil. These untrained, self-appointed workers are doing more to save the world than any other program currently working in Brazil. This is true for most third world countries around the world.
Twenty minutes after I put out the trash, I left my apartment for the day. I see my trash bag torn open, with bits of paper flying down the street, floating behind the waste picker who is now wearing my broken hat. I sigh, bemused that any secrets I wrote on those papers were in a language he couldn’t read.
Millions of governmental dollars are saved through these individuals. “In effect, waste pickers subsidize formal solid waste systems. Their recycling efforts also provide raw materials at low prices to recycling industries. Further, the waste pickers conserve resources, reduce air and water pollution thus contributing to public health and sanitation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions thus mitigating climate change.”
We passed out cups and soda and snacks for all the children. One small girl let her cookie wrapper slip from her fingers to the ground. “Eduarda!” I chided, “Don’t litter!” She blankly replied, “But this is the dump.” I looked around hopelessly. Why shouldn’t she litter? This was where the rest of world sent their litter. But this was her home.
These unlikely heroes are often starving and living in inhumane conditions. The local governments are happy to receive their free services, some even feeling proud of “providing jobs” for their community. This can unfortunately lead to exploitation and general ignorance of the problems and possible solutions involved.
Andreia and Washington, the couple leading Massa Humana, head up the program for children (with Living Stones) in the trash dump. They left their number with some of the ladies in case of emergency. One came from Maria Jose, who’s respiratory infection had gotten so bad that she had to be rushed to the hospital. The doctor said she would have died an hour later, and that she could not continue living in her house made of trash—it was causing/worsening her infection. The church, with Massa Humana, began to build Maria Jose a simple brick home. It is smaller than the average American living room, but the stuff that dreams are made of in the trash dump.
In 2010, Brazil ended 20 years of arguing on its National Solid Waste Policy, and signed it into being. It is trying to make sure private sectors pay for proper disposal of their products, and has a “special provisions for accommodating waste pickers, who have traditionally played a central role in the waste sorting and disposal system in Brazil. Community outreach and retraining are part of efforts to shift to more municipal solid waste landfills.”
I walked down the street to the corner, which long ago had been declared the place where the neighborhood dumped their trash. I went slowly, because the two horses and sickly dog were busy eating whatever edible unidentifiable items they could. I threw in the trash bags and ran when the horse started moving towards me.
The Federal law means that current trash dumps will be closed, and more sanitary landfills created. The documentary “Wasteland” talks about this from a personal perspective at one of the largest dumps in Rio de Janeiro. While the Federal government has set aside funds to “local governments to help improve recycling and training, including social inclusion programs for waste picking communities,” many fear the actuality of this happening. Many are even questioning the environmental benefits of these changes.
“Here is another bag of clothes for those poor children at the dump.” She says, handing me a huge plastic sack. I thank her politely, but my lip curls in disgust once I begin to sort through the clothes. They are old, torn, stained, and dirty. Why do we only give our leftovers? Do they deserve nothing better?
Thousands of questions are being raised around HOW this law will be enacted, which is to be completed by 2014, according to federal regulation. In Carpina, the trash dump community was a hot topic in the last elections, with many promises made. In January, they announced action—the whole community would be moved to a different part of town, where 70 new homes would be built for the waste pickers.
“I think it is a beautiful thing that we are giving these people new homes.” Says Daniel, one of many Brazilians who are happy see progress. I, on the other hand, am weary, having seen the speed of most government promises. Washington pragmatically tells me that he is hopeful that the houses will be built, and relatively soon, since the local government is being pressured, and they can make a goodwill “show” out of providing homes for the homeless.
What worries me is the training and re-education that is also to be involved. That is a long and tedious process that cannot be “shown off” or receive instant gratification. Professional analysis about it says, “The existence of a body of legislation for inclusivity is not a guarantee that solid waste management in most cities are abiding to the law but it indicates that catadores (waste pickers) have sufficient public visibility and recognition. The implementation of legislation depends a great deal on the level of social mobilization of organizations of catadores and their supporting NGOs.” In other words, it is up to us.
I haven’t been able to find much information on the success rates of Brazilian “transplant” programs, but know that in the USA, they never turn out as helpful as they sound, mostly due to weak follow through. All these people have known is trash, and trash is their culture. That doesn’t change in a new house. How many of them are emotionally ready for a change this big?
We sit on the ground and color, bringing soup on the weekends, as promises fill the air. It isn’t how life should be, and yet it is. People and governments are trying to change it, but here it is still. And Jesus says go. Love. I can’t find anywhere where He suggests waiting until the government or rich donors finally complete their promises.
What does all this legislation mean to the children of the waste pickers? Nothing. The adults pause, holding their breath to see if the papers signed will come through. The house we were building for Maria Jose and her family? Stopped, because the area will be bulldozed. The land given so we could build a community center/church? It will lay empty and life goes on.
And so we work in the dirt once again. My legs turn black streaks and I flick disease-ridden flies off my face and shudder when they land on my lips. I carefully hold little girls who moan when I accidentally brush against their multiple bug bites or various skin diseases. I brush back lice-ridden hair with my fingers. I see open wounds fill with dirt as they sit down to color a picture with me.
Living Stones and Massa Humana will continue to work with the children in the trash dump until they are relocated, whenever that happens. We will continue to work with them after they are relocated, with whatever new challenges arise. Please continue with us in prayer.
