The development since March of the workshop and in the dedication of the participants is incredible! The women have the desire to learn and to create a better future for themselves and their families. Nothing is easy an dthis is an adventure for all of us. The community of La Chureca is difficult, dangerous and the people that live here speak their own language, have their own community laws and are extremely marginalized. Outsiders are viewed with suspicion and the assumption that organizations and authorities are trying to exploit them rather than help them. It has taken a lot of dedication and hard work to earn the trust of the women and reach the stage the workshop is at now.
As I walked through the squelching mud and breathed in the toxic air that smells of open drainage systems, rotten food, rubbish and disease I had that feeling in my stomach that made me start the project together with Juntos Contigo – that the children deserve to be able to live as healthily as possible here, to learn about the environment and know they can make the most of their futures given the right opportunity.
I passTeresa’s house and hear Giselle and Francis giggling, Alba runs out playing with Alvarito. Life here is like any other neighbourhood, there are the tough moments, the horrific setting of living off a rubbish dump and then there is the essence of life that makes us smile every day. It is not about saying there is a better way to live, it is about giving these families the best opportunities they can have, they should have, to be able to provide for their children and ensure that the future generations are not born and raised on a rubbish dump, rather in a community that has the skills to move forward, develop and provide opportunities and education.
EEP is building together with the women a sustainable business in the community that they can manage, work for, learn to be artists and produce a product in-line with protecting the environment and brightening the future for the community.
