Casa del Alfarero

UPDATE Scroll down for new CdA videos...

Hundreds of families, and 6,000 children, make up the community that lives adjacent to Guatemala City’s vast refuse tip.

With their families living in little more than shacks, parents have little choice but to scavenge the dump – sifting through the refuse of a society that despises them – for anything of monetary or other value.

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People at work on the refuse dump

Casa del Alfarero ('The Potter's House') serves these poor and outcast in Jesus' name. In particular, they are noted for transforming dump children from ‘trash’ (as they are perceived by society at large), to young people who are valued as ‘treasures’.

CdA seeks and facilitates the integration of the dump children, their families and community as far as possible into normal, mainstream society.

CdA operates in a very bleak and dangerous environment. The threat of violence is ever present. The air on the dump is noxious, and fires fuelled by gases from decaying garbage are only a spark away.

WorldShare has helped CdA develop school education for dump children, in recognition that education is the most effective way to break free from the poverty trap. We have also helped CDA introduce clean water and sanitation facilities to improve hygiene and help in the fight against disease.

Watch a slideshow (Youtube) showing Casa del Alfarero at work on the city dump.

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Some younger 'treasures' helped by CdA

CdA’s efforts have a large-scale impact. In a recent 12-month period, our partners…

served 34,200 lunches to younger ‘treasures’.
NEW Click for Potters House lunchtime video! (Youtube)
invested 15,500 hours of work in 66 projects toimprove living conditionsfor the dump community
shared the good news of Jesus with 10,500 peopleat 55 outreach activities
gave medical and dental care to 437 ‘treasures’
graduated 240 students from school, developing them in Christian character and academically
assisted 80 families with parenting classes, helping parents learn to value children and their education.

In 2009, WorldShare launched a special project to assist the elderly ‘treasures’ of the dump community, providing food, medical attention and the opportunity to attend a weekly Bible study and learn about God’s love for them.

While lives are transformed on Guatemala City dump through practical, educational and spiritual ministry, CdA’s ultimate goal is to see an end to scavenging on Guatemala City dump, as all the people who live there finally break free from this life of despair.

PROJECTS

(Click on the links to see details of the projects of this ministry partner)

632020 - Dignity & Sustenance for Senior Citizen

NEW VIDEOS

General introduction to the ChildAid programme at CdA:-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEb8pftjIic?

CdA nutrition programme:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IptAyaA9aDE?

Birthday celebrations of CdA children:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqFOzA3xP80?

CdA thanks supporters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk5iDpOaWQw?