The Carabayllo Project

For the past four years HBI has been working with a small community in the northern Lima district of Carabayllo. Carbayllo is a sprawling "pueblos jovenes" that includes over 1 million people - many of whom are living in desperate poverty. A great number of the residents of Lomas de Carabayllo survive on less than $2.00 (USD) per day.

Their primary source of income is the recycling of garbage and industrial waste. A major issue facing the community is the open pit incineration of industrial plastics and automobile batteries. Through the liberation of lead in the incineration process, many of the children living in the Lomas de Carabayllo area have suffered extensive adverse health affects (see: http://www.latinamericapress.org/article.asp?IssCode=&lanCode=1&artCode=4729). Overwhelmingly, the greatest need is a more formal plan for reducing the amount of lead exposure and intoxication. Equally compelling is the need for a more concerted treatment and laboratory tracking program in the community.

HBI has worked with the community of Valle Sagrado in Carabayllo to address the issues of lead exposure and illness - today, the community is free of open pit incineration andsoil contamination. Treatment and surveillance programs have been initiated by government sponsored programs. And the people of Valle Sagrado are working to build a more sustainable mechanism for employment and community development.

In June of 2007, HBI helped to bring desperately needed winter clothing to over 140 children living in Valle Sagrado. Locally purchased track suits and warm weather clothing were distributed to every child in the community as per the request of community leaders. Future outreach and program development in Carabayllo will be directed by the community and their self selected leaders. Our goal in working with the community of Carabayllo is to help them reach their stated goals through building "bridges" to resources and needed infrastructure.