Life of a Scavenger

Managua, Nicaragua

[ August 2005 ]

La Chureca is the biggest garbage dump in Central America, it is a lively sewer of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. This dumping ground lies on the shores of the contaminated lake Xolotlán. Hundreds of human trash recyclers search in tons of smouldering garbage mainly metals (copper, aluminium), others concentrate on glass which is cheap, but in bigger amount. The majority of the searchers are families with children for whom recycling is a regular job. The children very often eat the food they find on the dump, none of them goes to school, they suffer from skin diseases, they have high levels of lead and DDT in blood. Many of them sniff glue, the drug of the poorest. The inhabitants of Managua say that there is the end of the world in Nicaragua – it is called La Chureca.


Daily life and work at the garbage dump of La Chureca is a real struggle. Recyclers fight with dogs, vultures, cows over food rests or they fight among themselves over recyclable items.

Daily life and work at the garbage dump of La Chureca is a real struggle. Recyclers fight with dogs, vultures, cows over food rests or they fight among themselves over recyclable items.



Every day since the early morning when the sun does not burn there are hundreds of recollectors arriving to La Chureca. It has been estimated that about 2000 people work directly at the dump.

Every day since the early morning when the sun does not burn there are hundreds of recollectors arriving to La Chureca. It has been estimated that about 2000 people work directly at the dump.



The overwhelming majority of the searchers at La Chureca are families with children for whom recycling is a regular way of making their living.

The overwhelming majority of the searchers at La Chureca are families with children for whom recycling is a regular way of making their living.



The price of an ordinary dinner on the streets of Managua equals a collection of 25-30 kilograms of broken glass pieces at the La Chureca garbage dump.

The price of an ordinary dinner on the streets of Managua equals a collection of 25-30 kilograms of broken glass pieces at the La Chureca garbage dump.



Recyclers search in tons of rotten garbage mainly metals (copper, aluminium, bronze), they use a specially forged hook to get easily through the mass of trash.

Recyclers search in tons of rotten garbage mainly metals (copper, aluminium, bronze), they use a specially forged hook to get easily through the mass of trash.



Since 1975 La Chureca, the biggest garbage dump in Central America, has spread to cover 70 acres on the shores of a completely contaminated lake Xolotlán.

Since 1975 La Chureca, the biggest garbage dump in Central America, has spread to cover 70 acres on the shores of a completely contaminated lake Xolotlán.



There are no gangs, neither crews at La Chureca garbage dump. Each person here works entirely on his own. Only families may share what their members find but not in all cases.

There are no gangs, neither crews at La Chureca garbage dump. Each person here works entirely on his own. Only families may share what their members find but not in all cases.



More than 30 per cent of the children from La Chureca show high levels of lead, mercury and DDT in blood due to a continuous contact with garbage, 40 per cent of them suffer from cutaneous diseases.

More than 30 per cent of the children from La Chureca show high levels of lead, mercury and DDT in blood due to a continuous contact with garbage, 40 per cent of them suffer from cutaneous diseases.



Inspite of the inbearable hot climate at the dump (temperatures over 40°C) searches keep their bodies and heads carefully covered to avoid sunburn and infections.

Inspite of the inbearable hot climate at the dump (temperatures over 40°C) searches keep their bodies and heads carefully covered to avoid sunburn and infections.



The children who work at La Chureca very often eat the food they find on the dump, none of them goes to school. Many of them sniff the shoe glue, the drug of the poorest.

The children who work at La Chureca very often eat the food they find on the dump, none of them goes to school. Many of them sniff the shoe glue, the drug of the poorest.



Everything is brought to La Chureca, there is no garbage separation. Inorganic waste, food, dead animals, cans, glass, metals, trash from demolitions, also infectious biowaste.

Everything is brought to La Chureca, there is no garbage separation. Inorganic waste, food, dead animals, cans, glass, metals, trash from demolitions, also infectious biowaste.



A young boy carrying barrels of contaminated water. There is a neighbourhood of about 200 families which is situated right inside the area of the La Chureca garbage dump.

A young boy carrying barrels of contaminated water. There is a neighbourhood of about 200 families which is situated right inside the area of the La Chureca garbage dump.



Every day the city of Managua turns out about 1500 tons of the trash which is taken out to La Chureca.

Every day the city of Managua turns out about 1500 tons of the trash which is taken out to La Chureca.



Constant spontaneous fires at La Chureca cause air pollution, respiratory disease of those who work at the dump and affect thousands of inhabitants from neighbouring districts.

Constant spontaneous fires at La Chureca cause air pollution, respiratory disease of those who work at the dump and affect thousands of inhabitants from neighbouring districts.



The inhabitants of Managua say that there is the end of the world in Nicaragua. It is called La Chureca.

The inhabitants of Managua say that there is the end of the world in Nicaragua. It is called La Chureca.



Life of a Scavenger

Managua, Nicaragua

Photography & text; Copyright © Jan Sochor
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