In our experience, having witnessed similar situations in various countries, urban dumpsters can often be among the harshest environments, particularly in developing nations.

All individuals laboring in these spaces endure demanding work and living conditions alongside their families.

In Nicaragua this is no different, of course, so we decided to visit our local dumpster in Masaya personally and try to establish a connection with a good person to help us on our quest.

After persuading the guard of our noble intentions (as access is typically restricted), we had the privilege of meeting "Chepito." His warm reception extended to assisting us in compiling a comprehensive list featuring the names, ages, and school years of all the children.

With this list in hand, we ventured to the local market to engage with small-scale vendors. This not only allowed us to acquire the backpacks at competitive rates but also created a positive economic impact for these vendors and their families. The gratitude we encountered was truly overwhelming, as some vendors earned in one day what they usually made in weeks.

In coordination with Chepito, we designated a Sunday afternoon for the distribution of the backpacks to ensure that everyone could be present. Words cannot express the depth of emotion we felt upon arriving at the entrance of the dumpster, only to find the children and their families eagerly awaiting us, dressed in their best clothes. More than a hundred people had gathered, creating an immensely moving scene.

While we regret not having more vivid photographs to share (we entrusted the task to someone that turned out to be, let’s say, less skilled in photography 😬) or even one of the whole group 😭, we hope this narrative provides a glimpse into the profound impact of your support.

Thanks to your generosity, nearly 100 children living in extraordinarily challenging circumstances experienced immense joy on that memorable Sunday afternoon.