A Diamond in the Rough

Deep within Garbage City, around corners and down seemingly unmarked streets stands a gate. Behind the gate, a street noticeably absent of trash and debris meanders down a hill and continues past an important but modest building. A recycling center. For women.

Set up as a way to help women of the Garbage City community make a living, the recycling center teaches them to reuse and refurbish donated cloth and paper. From hand-made Christmas cards to woven rugs and bags, the center offers the women not only valuable life skills, but also a renewed sense of purpose and hope for a successful future.

photo by Melissa W.

Tubs used to make paper for greeting cards

photo by Melissa W.

Finished paper hanging out to dry

photo by Melissa W.