Red Lacre: A week-long meeting in Santiago with waste pickers from 10 countries

Photo: Red Lacre.

A message from Red Lacre to delegates of the 17 countries that are members of Red Lacre (Latin American network of waste pickers): On August 31st, the Latin American Waste Pickers’ Network wrapped up a week of meetings and activities held in Santiago, Chile (Aug. 25-31). The final activity consisted of a visit to informal recyclers of the dumpsite known as Vertedero Los Molles, in Valparaíso. Ending the busy week with our brothers and sisters at the dumpsite filled us with emotion and reaffirmed our commitment to dignity and the dreams of our union. It was a long and intense week. The 18 delegates present at the reunion shared every moment together, from breakfast to dinner, and from marches to downtown Santiago. We shared our worries, ideas and proposals, laughter, and exhaustion. At a time when Red Lacre seemed out of sorts, our purpose confused, we have taken on the commitment to continue forward together, with new energy towards collaboration, and respect for what we have built together: Red Lacre. Red Lacre’s press release (in Spanish).