Children's Day

Nothing went as planned. It was raining off and on all day. Everyone and everything was late. Things broke. Things were forgotten. Things didn't work. But it was wonderful.

We were flexible.We changed locations. We changed plans. We played and got wet and muddy, but smiles stayed on our faces. And the children loved it.

May God richly bless everyone from Living Stones, Massa Humana, ETE English Class, and everyone else that came to help! Thank you to those who gave.

Children's day 2013 served at least 150 children and families in the city dump. 

Toothpaste Smiles

From the kind donations of the American groups this summer, we were able to make 75 bags of toothpaste, toothbrush, and a comb:

We had a great time talking with the kids and evaluating their literacy levels

And then Massa Humana came in with generous clothing donations

The shoes might not fit yet...

43 Bundles of Food

Though Massa Humana, the group from the baptist church, 43 bundles of food were donated to the families at the trash dump!

Our literacy program has also began:

Giving and Receiving

When we made bracelets at the dump, Eduardo made one for all the workers.

We loved having Molly's dad with us--fresh off the airplane!

The children always remind us how it is better to give than receive, but when you give, you receive so much more.

Rachel Remembers it's a New Day: Sunflowers

Rachel Remembers it's a New Day: Sunflowers: Mateus stood on top of the biggest pile of trash, with a look that said he was king of the hill. Eduardo sat a bit to the side, dangling on...

Infographic of the Trash Dump

In Progress

The houses for the 42 families from the trash dump are being built:

But as yet, no real plans or working to move/prepare the families have begun. As written earlier (for a review of the situation, go to http://buildinglivingstones.blogspot.com.br/2013/03/how-to-relocate-your-heart-trash-dump.html?spref=bl), there is a federal law to shut down the current trash dump by 2014, and put a more sanitary landfill in its place. There is also provision in the law that says they must help the old trash workers to relocate and work at the new place.

 As you can see, the houses are being built, but this is a huge relocation project (from being way outside of town to being near the center of the opposite end of town), and the trash dump community is not prepared to move, especially psychologically. They are scared, and as they told us, "This (their current home) isn't a good place for us, but at least here we know we can survive." Some of them have said they will refuse to move. 

There is also worry about the follow through on job training. The local government can build and give these houses to the praise of the local news, but investing the money to retrain the workers doesn't give any instant glory, and past statistics are grim. They are scared they will move and then all be jobless and transplanted. Please keep them in your prayers.