Vanessa told us the traditional method of waste disposal in Brazil is through open dumps. In Brazilia they have the 2nd largest dump in the world. The largest in South America. The government has very recently closed this dump.

 

There were about 1,200 waste pickers who worked at this open dump. There are over 3,000 open dumps all over Brazil and many more across the globe. It is estimated that 15,000,000 people around the world are waste pickers. Waste pickers work in three areas; on the street, in facilities and on open dumps. Waste pickers are exposed to all kinds of dangers, from chemicals and diseases as well as needles and other harmful wastes. Everything is thrown out from medical waste to batteries. There are lots of accidents with 67% of waste pickers reporting injuries. Needles and contaminated items are very dangerous. This work is very harmful to the health of the people and their children.

 

In addition to risks to the health of the workers, the environment is also at risk such as groundwater contamination.

 

Waste pickers are 8 times more likely to get infectious diseases and intoxication from contact with heavy medals and pesticides. Cancers are frequent and things like lead poisoning impacts not only the worker but the children through fetus. The workers have low education and are very poor.

 

Starting in 2007, Vanessa and some other professors and students from the University of Brazilia started a program called: 'Stop, Think and Dispose' to educate people how to better dispose of their waste. It is a multidisciplinary approach to dialogue with the people to educate them and help the  waste pickers and their families. They do health promotion including oral hygiene. They have had support from the Rotary Club for the past 10 years.

 

Most of the waste pickers are women. Often single with 3 or 4 kids, and usually black or brown skinned.

 

They have succeeded in having the government close this dump and they have moved the workers to various temporary sorting plants. Working conditions are a little better but only marginally as in some cases safety equipment has not been put in place.

 

Kids go to school only for 1/2 days. The other 1/2 day they attend a very dilapidated child care facility. It is at this facility that faculty and students and other volunteers work to educate and help the children of these waste pickers. There are over 3,000 children.

 

They are looking to form a global partnership between a D7070 Rotary Club and Rogerio's Rotary Club of Taquatinga to help and support Vanessa's program 'Stop. Think and Dispose'. The Rotary Club of Toronto Eglinton has committed $3,000 to support this program. They primarily need lead partner club to help with District and / or global grant project. Rogerio showed how this program addresses all 6 of Rotary's Areas of Focus.

 

R Murray thanked Vanessa.