Causes:
Water, Education, Health Services
Volunteer Hours:
15+ Volunteer Hours
Overview:
There are thousands of women living in the slum settlements bordering the Guatemala City garbage dump (GCGD), all of whom confront enormous economic, social and emotional challenges as a consequence of systemic barriers including hegemonic masculinity, extreme poverty, and economic exclusion. Over 70% of Guatemalans engage in informal employment, limiting their access to health insurance, social security and other government benefits. Women represent 51% of this workforce, yet are overrepresented in informal industries, face poorer working conditions, and confront systemic barriers to achieving formal employment.
The effects of these injustices are amplified for the women living in the GCGD squatter settlements, as many compete for scant resources, education levels among the population are astronomically low, and there is virtually no opportunity for dignified employment. As a result, an estimated 15,000 residents of this community make a living scavenging in the garbage dump for items to recycle, resell or reuse. This work is physically demanding, exposes garbage pickers to tremendous risk, and generates an average of $3-$7 per day.
Project leader:
Hannah Sklar – Hannah is the Execcutive Director of Creamos. She has worked with the organization for over 10 years and has a deep understanding and passion for helping solve the unique challenges that people in the dump community face.
Project Examples:
Rain catchment systems, build and disibute water filters.
What will I do?
As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with community members and support them by helping assemble water filters annd the rain catchment systems. While on site for the project you will also learn more about the community your are helping and engage in some fun suprise activities.
Where will I stay?
We will stay in Antigua in comfortable accomadations and drive to the project which will take about 45 mins.
What will I eat?
We eat breakfast at the hotel or on the drive over to the project site. Lunch will be provided by Creamos. We will it dinner back in Antigua.
What’s My Impact?
Your impact expands far beyond the scope of the specific impact project you work on. Each project completed will empower the communities to improve their quality of life, and embolden them to plan for a brighter future. There is no doubt the things you learn during this process will highlight the common thread that connects us all and change your life forever.
