The Daily Routine of Scavengers Living Near Río Azul Landfill

Fernando Contreras, a unique individual, stood gazing at the sea. The sun rose hesitantly over the hill, as if deciding at the last moment to illuminate another day instead of plunging into the abyss of the previous night.

Early morning divers were busy accounting for the cargoes extracted from the depths. They hurried to select their catches, including edible and commercial items like aluminum cans, glass bottles, and various metals that fetched minimal prices at the smelters.

Daytime divers began to wake up, opening the doors of their shacks on the battered beaches. They prepared to collect items like plastic fish, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and paper for recycling.

Around 6 AM, two enormous tractors, resembling hungry tyrannosaurs, awaited the tons of waste the city sent daily. Their operators, fueled by routine, had breakfast before tackling the task of handling the constant influx of garbage.

Communities near the landfill struggled to protect themselves with metal mesh at the foot of the hill. Access was restricted by a gate monitored by a guard in a small booth, checking drivers' permits before allowing entry.

The school in the neighborhood was burdened by a foul stench, emanating from the putrid, sticky atmosphere filled with the odor of aged soup made from various decaying waste. The environment was likened to a poisoned river flowing through the ulcerated body of the earth.

Unbeknownst to the divers above, malignant growths were developing beneath their feet in the toxic environment. Over the years, they had unknowingly walked on hazardous grounds, accustomed to the carpet of waste that mercilessly covered everything.

The divers reminisced about the traditional transportation methods that were now obsolete. They longed for the days when items were less damaged during transport, reminiscing about the time when waste was more organic in nature, consisting of food remnants, fruit peels, glass, aluminum, and discarded wooden furniture.

Unique, a determined individual, had once vowed to uplift herself from the classroom to the cemetery. However, her perspective shifted after experiencing life in the landfill. She found solace and support from the community founders, who helped her build a new home from donated materials, teaching her to appreciate the little things in her surroundings.

Unique, now known as Doña Única, reflected on her first night in the landfill, finding comfort in borrowed blankets and her own cardboard bedding. Despite the challenges, she felt a sense of companionship and drifted off to sleep, realizing that amidst the hardships, there was still kindness and goodness to be found.

As a newcomer to the hill of the garbage dump, the teacher, Unica Oconitrillo, faced numerous challenges. She had to learn that getting water meant going downhill with a bucket to ask neighbors for it, a task that became increasingly difficult as locals were hesitant to help. The lack of plumbing to the hilltop made basic tasks like fetching water a daily struggle.

The initial residents of the garbage dump hill faced suspicion from neighbors who eventually cut off humanitarian aid to encourage them to leave during the day and return at night, mimicking a typical work schedule. Despite the challenges, Unica Oconitrillo persevered, carrying out her daily tasks with determination.

Unica Oconitrillo's innocence shattered when she realized that living off garbage was not a metaphorical concept but a harsh reality. The advice to focus on finding food or items to sell highlighted the stark truth of their situation, leading Unica to accept the grim reality of their daily existence.

Despite the initial shock and disgust, Unica Oconitrillo gradually accepted the harsh reality of their situation, realizing that everyone eventually becomes accustomed to their circumstances. She observed the resilience and determination of her fellow residents, finding a sense of unity and shared struggle among them.