There is a place in Managua called La Chureca. It is the cities dump and I can not even explain how big it is and how far it stretches. It actually dumps into Lake Manuagua making it polluted and toxic to the people. That is not the most sad part. There are people that actually live near, around, and ON the dump. People scavenge for recycle-ables to sell and make money off of. We climbed up to the top of one of the mountains of trash and it was just an awful sight and smell. There were hundreds, upon hundreds of vultures in the area. They were feeding off of the garbage and the waste that some had just dumped full of cow parts. There were cows roaming around eating what they good out of the garbage. There were small fires and smoke everywhere because things would be combusting from the heat. Our guide told us that when they bring the trucks in to dump trash, people just bombard it. Trying to get the best things from it. A lot of people die from getting run over, and so do small children and babies.
We were also given the fact that people in Chareca tear apart the sole of shoes and sniff the glue that is holding it together. This works as an appetite suppressant and sometimes keeps their mind off of things. You have to also be aware of the men that could be high too because you never know what they might do.
There are many GMO’s that have come and and tried to help out. Some have opened schools. Some have opened churches. Another has opened a clinic for people that need medical attention. There are children sponsorships and a soccer field where kids can play and practice. But it just feels like so much more can be done!! The trash literally goes on for miles and miles. Anything and everything that you can imagine gets thrown there. It is where all the garbage goes. Could you imagine living on the garbage that you throw away for your whole life… and not know any other way???? Think about it!
Please pray for these people. Pray that the government can change things, or even want to change things. The Nica government is a very corrupt one. The rich get rich and the poor get poorer kind of thing. Pray that some type of program can be put in place to make a change. Pray for the people that are helping to change it. Pray for the people inside the dump, the ones that have to live this way each and every day! Pray that they come to know they Lord and know that he is their rock.
As we were talking as a group, Sage made a comment: She said.. The only way is God. The only way that things can be changed here is through the work of the LORD. The people there helping can not merely change it on there own. The only way to do anything is to do it with God… and only he can make a change! Oh she is so right!!!!
My heart breaks for these people everyday. Just remember the blessings that we have here. Don’t take them for granted. Even though our government can do things that you dont like, just remember that our government does a lot more for us than most other ones. We live in a safe place (sometimes), a place with choices and freedom, and systems that keep our streets clean!
If you want to see what I have been talking about, please look at pictures on line. Type La Chureca into the search engine on google and click on images. It is truly an eye opening experience!!!
