At just 22, Jako Jeudi* has faced more challenges than many endure in a lifetime. As an informal waste collector at the Pont Neuf market in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, his days are marked by hardship but also resilience.
Born in Saint-Raphaël, Jako’s life took a dramatic turn at 13 when his father was murdered. Left to fend for himself, he initially tried farming, but recurring droughts made it unsustainable.
In 2020, a chance encounter with Alex*, a market security guard, introduced Jako to waste collection. ‘Alex is like a guide for me,’ Jako shares. ‘He advised me to work as a waste collector. If I manage to earn a living today, it’s thanks to him. I will always be grateful.’
Building a life on the margins
Jako now supports his wife and two-year-old son, working in precarious conditions. His daily earnings range from 1,000 to 1,500 gourdes (US$ 8–12), enough to meet basic needs and save a little.
Each week, he travels from his home in Saint-Raphaël to sleep on a piece of carpet near the market, often by the police station for safety. But security is never guaranteed. ‘Thieves sometimes steal my wallet. I can never sleep deeply; I have to stay alert,’ he says.
His job, crucial to the market’s functioning, involves clearing waste from stalls, burning what he can, and disposing of the rest by the coastline. Without municipal support or proper equipment, Jako often works with bare hands, relying on borrowed tools when available.
Jako’s story highlights the critical role of informal waste collectors in Haiti, where public services are scarce. In markets like Pont Neuf, they mitigate overwhelming sanitation issues, stepping in to clear blocked canals and piles of rubbish.
If public services were present, the situation would be much better.
Jako Jeudi, waste picker, Haiti.
Despite the trials, he remains hopeful for a brighter future. ‘Collecting rubbish is my livelihood, but it’s not the future. I want stability and time with my family,’ he says.
The need for sustainable waste management solutions
The struggles of workers like Jako underline the need for structural solutions to Haiti’s waste management crisis.
Cities Alliance's LAVIL programme, funded by USAID, is working to address these challenges by improving solid waste management in public markets in the cities of Les Cayes and Cap-Haïtien. The initiative seeks to enhance living and working conditions for waste pickers like Jako, whose labour sustains communities while often going unrecognised.
As Jako continues his work with quiet determination, his resilience and hope symbolise the strength of Haiti’s informal workforce and the urgency of investing in their futures.
NB: The names have been changed
