Guajero

Name of the informal group please write here a brief summary paragraph.

Main content, don't forget to always put the name in italic by using: italic

Description

Guajero o guajera is the name given to people who sort waste within the Guatemala City landfill. They are different than waste collectors who travel around the city.

The word Guajero comes from "guaje", which means a thing of low value. It is a person sorts through the garbage.

Guajeros can be identified by their location, they are located within the landfill sorting through the garbage. There are some Guajeros that have received identification from the local government and wear distinctive vests and protective gear. However, there are others who enter the landfill from unauthorized entry points. They can include men, women, as well as children.

Due to the high risk of being present in the landfill there are efforts to limit the number of Guajeros. They work either individually or as a group, even as families, and the products they collect are then sold informally. They are known to specialize in collecting certain products as part of a value chain.

Guajeros face many challenges in their daily activities. On the one hand they are exposed to physical hazards in the landfill, such as toxic gases, pollutants, diseases, and landslides. These hazards intensify with extreme weather, heat or rain. Also, they face social stigmas and marginalization. However, the local government has made efforts to provide services such as daycare for children. Guajeros tend to dedicate to this activities since they are a better alternative to the few economic opportunities.

Perceptions and Motivation

Intrinsic perceptions and motivations

Guajeros perceive themselves as part of a community that is doing an important work no one else wants to. They are able to find the value in things that other people have disposed. However, they do feel society is unfair in stigmatizing the work they do.

Guajeros seem to be ultimately motivated economically, to make a living. However, they are also curious and well informed about what items are valuable, often this is what they have always done, they are good at it, and many times are surprised not knowing what they would find in a given day.

Extrinsic perceptions and motivations

External perceptions of Guajeros are mixed.

How this group perceived by others (including yourself)?

Other questions to be addressed could be: Is there a cultural or historic reference in the name? Does the name have a positive or negative connotation?​ Are individuals in this group generally driven by survival or a business model?​ Are there positive aspects associated with this group? For example, flexibility, freedom, agility, or self organization How do members of this group perceive more formal employment? What are the main deterrents of formalizing?​ Does this group have any specific needs?​

System

What is the role of the informal worker in the broader informal ecosystem?

Who do they interact with. What kind of relationships do they need? 

What "problem or need" are they solving?

Other additional questions to be addressed could be:

What service or product is this group providing?​ What is that they need to deliver their service or product?​ Conditions, tools, skills to make a living​ Do they own their work tools? Their work?​ What sector does this group usually represent?​ Aproximately, how many people are represented by this group?" "how are they represented in the economy​? How has this sector been affected by public policy?​

Can you include a picture or a depiction?

References

Insert here any external references