Asociación Civil Gregorio Condori Mamani: Casa del Cargador

Casa del Cargador is a non-profit organization that seeks to develop the personal and occupational abilities of the peasant migrants that come to the city of Cuzco to work at various temporary jobs on the street. Most of the people who we serve are Cargadores, workers who carry heavy loads for little pay in the Cusco markets. This is very damaging to their health. Most cargadores come from the rural areas surrounding Cusco city and are very poor, having little or no education, thus this is the only job they can find. Many of them have problems with alcoholism and some of them live on the streets, never returning to their hometown. They generally work from 6am-4pm. At the Casa del Cargador, these migrants may find lodging and advance their educations and training. This includes health education, English lessons, and professional training for other jobs. The Casa del Cargador has modern facilities, where the inhabitants may live. Furthermore, Casa del Cargador also works on raising awareness for migrant rights in markets and other spaces around Cusco. For example, there is a new law only allowing them to carry 50 kilos per load. The Casa del Cargador staff are raising awareness among the cargadores to show them how this law will benefit them; in addition, they meet with the municipalities to enforce the law.