Born Into Refuse

The dump is where I spend most of my waking hours. It’s the only place I’ve known. I didn’t choose this life; it chose me.

I wasn’t born into opportunity. I was born into the refuse—the discarded things others forget. 

The sun isn’t up yet, but I’m already on my way to the dumpsite. The streets are still quiet, except for the distant hum of the city waking up. As I walk, the same thoughts swirl in my mind—thoughts I’ve had for years. How much can I collect today? Will I find something useful? Every day feels the same—waking up early, working hard, and heading home to do it all over again the next day. But today, maybe I’ll find something that changes everything, even if just for a moment. 

As I walk through the mounds of trash, I see the workers already digging, scavenging. Some see garbage. We see possibilities.

Beside me, my dog walks. She’s with me every day, at the dumpsite, my protector, my friend. We face the long day together, searching for anything of value. Her paws dig through the dirt next to mine, as if she knows we have to make do with whatever we can find. 

I look at my hands—dirty from the night before, soon to get dirtier. But that’s okay. This is my life. I start sifting through the piles of waste—plastic bottles, old furniture, broken glass, food wrappers—anything and everything. You’d be surprised by what people throw away. 

Sometimes, I find things that still have value—clothes that can be cleaned and worn again, cans that can be recycled for a few coins, food that’s still good enough to eat. It’s all about survival. 

I’m not like most people. I don’t have the luxury of buying fresh food from a market. Most days, what I eat comes from here—what others have discarded. 

People judge us. They see the dirt, the ragged clothes, and think we’re nothing but the trash we dig through. But they don’t see the people we are, the hopes buried beneath the dirt. 

They don’t see the dreams I have for a better life. I dream of something outside this dump. I dream of a chance, a future. That’s why I keep digging—deeper and deeper into the piles. 

I find clothes, some old shoes that might fit me, and a few cans of food. It’s enough to get by for another day. There’s a sense of pride in what I do. Every item, every scrap, is something that might make my life a little easier, and that’s worth something. 

The sun is high when I’m done. My back aches, my hands are raw, but it’s time to head home. At the end of the day, I know things won’t change overnight. The dump will still be there tomorrow, and I’ll be back to work.

But for today, I’m grateful—grateful for the food I’ve found, and grateful for the lessons I’ve learned. And tomorrow, I’ll go back. I’ll sift through the trash, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll find something that’ll make life a little bit easier. 

Note from Selam:
Since Mulualem became a Samaritan Scholar, he has received training in electrical installation, and he’s been taking cooking classes. He often stops by the Weingartz Family Life Center to say hello, and to update us on how he’s doing. 

Mulualem:
I no longer spend my days sifting through trash, hoping to find something of value. 

Today, I work in a kitchen at a respected International school. My hands, once stained with dirt, now chop fresh vegetables, season dishes, and plate meals with care. The scent of sizzling spices fills the air, a far cry from the stench of rotting waste that once surrounded me. I wear a clean uniform, my head held high, knowing I’ve earned my place here.

International Samaritan is a Christ-centered organization built on Catholic Social Teaching. Our mission is to walk hand-in-hand with people who live and work in the garbage dumps of developing nations to help them break out of poverty.

We provide holistic scholarships for students from kindergarten through college, and we’re currently supporting 950 scholars in Central America, the Caribbean, and East Africa.

Would your church or school group like to partner and travel with us? Learn about our Learn, Serve, Grow program.

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Selam Terefe, Regional Director, East Africa

Selam has years of experience in international development and aid. Her education and career have given her a thorough and in-depth knowledge of gender, legal, social, and political issues of East Africa with a special focus on Ethiopia. Selam is passionate about development in Africa and a strong believer in effective partnerships.