Imagine garbage. Tons of garbage. There was absolutely no empty ground to step on, it was like walking on sponges because of all the layers of rubbish. We wandered around some small alleys to see how the people live. They live in simple shanties or shelters, some of them in huts made of wood, iron, plastic or whatever they can find to build walls.
I even saw bedsprings, used as a fence. How creative! These people became experts in knowing what stuff is recycable or useful for a different purpose. Not all of them have doors or even any furniture inside.
People were sitting on the floor and eating. Everyone was greeting us. There was no moment where I could have felt unsafe or anything like that. In fact, the people were smiling! A girl was washing her hair outside with a bucket. I had a look into some of the houses. Most of them have no water and no electricity. Poor sanitation. No toilets. You can imagine most people would rather spend the money on food than using a public toilet.
The majority of the residents can't afford to buy fresh meat, so they eat rice and dried fish on a daily basis. One thing that really struck me was the fact that I barely saw old people. It's a very young population. And the more I'm thinking about it, it's actually clear why:. Many others die of diseases. There are plenty of diseases that comes from lack of hygiene. I couldn't help but wonder how these people there kept their smiles. I mean how? It's been over 3 months now since I went to Smokey Mountain.
I wanted to write about it weeks ago but it was incredibly difficult for me to put this experience into words These few hours with the people of Smokey Mountain were a life-changing experience that opened my eyes and questioned myself. It really got me thinking about the basics in life and what's really important I was thinking about my first world problems, about my friends and my family who live in the Western world.
Seeing their joyful faces has changed my mind and enlightened me. Happiness has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with wealth. Humanity shines even brighter amidst poverty. These kids can bear more difficulties in life than we can ever imagine PS: I've found this video about Smokey Mountain which can give a more authentic impression how the place really is I can't promote them enough, Smokey Tours is doing an outstanding job at raising awareness and helping the people in the slums.
Thanks thanks thanks for this powerful day. Visit www. She's half German, half Italian and has traveled to more than 50 countries around the globe. She feels weird to write about herself in the third person, so she'll switch now. Let's restart:. Enjoyed this article? In tow are two little girls, roughly the same age, laughing We get to the top, hands covered in dirt and mangy dogs race up barking viciously.
The three little girls are oblivious to these creatures that would definitely give you rabies if their teeth actually sunk into your flesh. Chickens scratch in the dirt and decomposed rubbish that's strewn across this lunar landscape. Several humpy-type structures are standing in the scrubby vegetation.
I'm shocked to discover that people actually live up here. I follow the girls to their home. Or at least what they call home. Bits of plastic and wooden sheeting to keep out the elements; a piece of corrugated iron attached for a roof and a timber palate with a mat on top, that keeps them an inch above the earth while they sleep.
I ask the name of the girl carrying the water. She responds in perfect English, her name is Rhea Rebadolla and she says she is 11 years old. She introduces me to her 8-year-old sister, Felomina, who doesn't leave her side, and her year-old friend and neighbor, Noreen Grace. Much to my surprise, they all speak English having attended the local school up until the end of last year.
I ask why they don't go anymore and they explain quite simply they can't afford to. I photograph them and they ask to see the photos, laughing and giggling like little school girls. I ask after their parents and find a man who knows the girls. Smokey Mountain operated for more than 40 years, consisting of over two million metric tons of waste.
The flammable substances on decomposing waste led to numerous fires which has resulted in many deaths. RBI was made to build a low-cost housing project at Smokey Mountain. On 15 August , this agreement was declared valid by the Philippine Supreme Court. The area was officially closed in
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