The Cateura Dump, in the Bañado Sur area along the Paraguay River, is the final dumping site for more than 1,500 tons of solid waste each day.
Cateura is also a village of seven neighborhoods housing some 2,500 families essentially living on top of the dump. Most of these families earn a living by separating garbage for the recycling industry. Children are often the ones with the onerous and unsanitary chore of collecting and peddling the waste.
In 2006 a man named Favio Chavez, an environmental technologist, started working at the Cateura dump. Favio was also very musical. He learned to play the guitar at an early age, and was a choir director at his church. Observing the needs of the kids in that area, he decided to open a music school. That was the beginning of his Recycled Orchestra project.
In the last several years the Recycled Orchestra has received worldwide recognition and have performed throughout the world, from Argentina to Brazil to Germany. They have even donated some their instruments to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
Their story is so special that a U.S.-based filmmaker is currently making a documentary about them called, Landfill Harmonic. While being interviewed for this documentary, Favio replied,
“The world sends us garbage, we send back music”
The story of people who can make music in and from the most horrible situation is a powerful illustration of what God intended praise and worship to accomplish through His people. C.S. Lewis captures the importance of this,
“It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men.” C.S. Lewis
When we lift our voices to God––thanking Him, blessing Him, declaring our love for Him––something happens! God makes His presence known! David wrote this,
“But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)
It’s through our praise that we welcome the King of Kings Himself.
And where the King goes, His throne goes…
And where His throne goes, His kingdom goes…
No matter what we face, or what’s been handed us, or what’s being dumped on us, praising God offers the greatest hope because it establishes His kingdom, His authority, His rule, His power, anywhere! Even in a garbage dump, He’ll teach you how to make music
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