What some people discard and throw away, other people gather those things up and utilize them. In Brasilia many families survive on the things that they find in the garbage. Recyclable articles are collected and then sold. This money ensures the survival of the families who are recycling … families who live in Cidade Estrutural, a very poor district in the capital of Brazil.

In this area, a very successful story is unfolding … one that involves a Social Project of the National Council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Brazil. The Council approved a proposal of the Conference of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and gave them 20,000 reales (approximately 4.400 euros or 4,830.00 dollars) for the purchase of twenty-one carts to be used in the collection of recyclable materials.

José Alves, a member of the Society has stated that before the purchase of this equipment it was very common to find those engaged in recycling gathering up these materials in a very precarious manner … using improvised cars, cars in bad condition and broken down. The new carts are stronger and allow for greater mobility. There are people who now earn about 2.000 reales a month (440 euros, 483 dollars). He points out that many of the beneficiaries continue to life in very precarious situation, nevertheless, the have attained financial independence and no longer need the basic food basket that they had previously obtained from the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

The Recycling Project is followed closely by Gilson Timóteo Sacramento (a member of the Society) who reported that this initiative was designed to legalize the work of those involved in recycling. Some of these individuals has previously transported the material in wagons that were drawn by various animals. We contacted several individuals and asked for design proposals of a stronger wagon but one that was not too heavy. The weight of this new wagon is well-distributed and its wheels are those of a motorcycle; there is a small door in the rear that facilitates the unloading of material and a basket in the front for personal items or food (protecting the food from contamination from the recycled objects).

Gilson also stated that these families are being promoted in their human and Christian development: “the reward that we receive is not simply a ‘thank you’ but rather the privilege of being able to accompany these individuals who have benefited from this Social Project.”

Source: http://www.ssvpbrasil.org.br/

Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM
Eastern Province, USA