Guatemala: Kids living in garbage dump still believe in Santa Claus

Located on the edge of the Central American city, a garbage dump is home to the poorest of Guatemala City where children scavenge to earn their daily bread.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Article Tools

Children who live in a garbage dump in Guatemala City received Christmas greetings and gifts from a group organized by Juan José Mucú, with help from the Smile Factory. Some 300 children participated. These children and parents make their living by sifting through tons of rotting and toxic refuse to find whatever they convert into cash.

At the entrance to the dump, children received gifts, food and sweets on December 18. Also on hand was a traditional piñata, filled with goodies in celebration of the coming feast of Christmas. One child reportedly said that the event gave him faith that Santa Claus does indeed exist.

Hundreds of people sift through the tons of garbage, while some have been known to have been crushed or asphyxiated by the stinking piles of refuse. The dump is situated in a ravine adjacent to Zone 3 of Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala.

Spero News editor Martin Barillas is a former US diplomat, who also worked as a democracy advocate and election observer in Latin America. He is also a freelance translator.