My first reaction at seeing Villa el Salvador during my volunteer orientation was the same as everyone else’s in my program. As we entered the neighborhood for the first time, we all fell silent, our eyes scanning the streets for something, anything, that would make us think, This isn’t so bad after all.The first thing I noticed, aside from the ramshackle homes, were the dogs. There were dogs everywhere, roaming the streets in packs, walking in front of cars, humping on corners, scavenging through trash for something to eat. None had collars. The second thing I noticed was the trash. It’s everywhere—in the streets, on the sidewalks, in empty lots, in front of people’s homes. Garbage seems to define this barrio. I’m told there are trash trucks here, but the trash pick up system clearly needs massive improvements. As unpleasant as it was to look at, I had a feeling that this garbage was what was keeping many of those stray dogs alive.Some of the homes we passed, while small, were perfectly respectable. The nicer homes were made of brick. Others, however, seemed to be constructed of materials not normally used to build houses—very thick cardboard or something that looked like woven bamboo. (The woven material, I later found out, is called esteras and is similar to tatami.) A lot of the roofs were pieces of thin corrugated metal or plastic that lay on top of whatever the walls were made of. Some of the houses had only partial roofs, which is OK, because it doesn’t rain in Lima. However, because of the lack of rain, there is very little green in Villa el Salvador—just a lot of dirt and dust. Landscaping does not exist here. People who can afford water use it for the necessities, and landscaping is not one of them.The main modes of transportation in Villa el Salvador (most cannot afford cars) are public buses, which are almost always overcrowded, or mototaxis , which are strange-looking three-wheeled vehicles that are basically just wheels and a motor with a few flaps of blue vinyl acting as the walls and roof. Needless to say, to ride in one of these motorized tricycles with curtains is to take your life in your hands. Many residents just walk to wherever they need to go. However, walking after dark, or even being outside after dark, is not safe because of the high crime rate.I have attached more photos of Villa el Salvador.
The Dogs And The Garbage
Alibi’s Ilene Style Reports From Her Volunteer Mission In South America
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