Word from Dunc

Driving up to the dump yesterday with the team from St.Peter's was one of those experiences that will remain with me for a very long time.  As we wound our way up the dusty track that leads to the plateau where the trucks dump their loads of rotting rubbish, we found a place to park the bus and began to distribute food and water to the adults and children who are trying to eek out and existence earning 50p a day from recycling rubbish.

On our way up to the dump I was talking with Jimmy who decided to come up to the dump with us.  Jimmy is 13 and has been attending the AFE School for the last 8 years with his little brother Jimmy.  Both boys have to work on the dump at weekends and after school in order to support their mum and keep food on the table.

Jimmy (photo left) and I were talking about what happened the day before when a group of armed men drove up to the dump and open fire at a group of people.  Two people died instantly and two are now seriously ill in hospital.  Jimmy told me how one of the bullets whizzed just an inch away from his leg and lodged itself in the rubbish.

He was lucky to be alive as one the older boys that usually works with him was only 15 and was killed in the shooting.  He was obviously in a state of alert and was sticking very close to us.

Life for these children is often defined by poverty, violence, abuse, hunger and hard work.  Enjoying what many of us have experienced of childhood is not an option for these children.  Their life expectancy is not that great and even worse for girls who always seem to suffer the most.

In countries like Honduras nearly 25% of all pregnant women are aged 10-14 years and 400 of those girls die each year as a result of being pregnant so young.

It is hard to understand how a child can cope with all that is thrown at them but they manage to smile and still hope rises in their hearts.

The team from St.Peter's have sown a lot into so many hearts during this trip and I have seen how this has made hope rise in so many lives.

Thank you team for coming to serve and love those who many turn away from.

Dunc Dyason