The Wastepickers program of The Unforgotten is one of the few programs in the world dedicated to helping “wastepickers” or “waste pickers” in developing countries. In the places where we operate, we are usually the only charity working on site. Working conditions are extremely difficult. In parts of Asia, these destitute individuals are often referred to as “rag pickers”. In some parts of the world, they are referred to as “garbage scavengers”. In West Africa, the trash dumps are called “bomehs”. Whatever name given to them, or to their environment, our priority is helping the hungry children living inside the trash dumps scavenging for food in the waste.
We provide clean food and water, shelter, schooling and a future for wastepickers living in, or near, trash-dumps.
We have worked in Pune (India), Lusaka (Zambia) and Freetown (Sierra Leone). Our most active program currently is in Zambia.
The Unforgotten Fund (UNFF), founded in 2007, remains committed to delivering aid at minimal overhead costs, and directing all donor funds to the field. Our charity remains managed and governed in the U.S. by an active volunteer Board of Directors. All our staff are deployed to the field, which allows us to direct donor funds towards program services.