My name is Rosalind (Rozy) Fredericks, and I am a professor and documentary filmmaker who has worked closely with the waste pickers of Mbeubeuss, Dakar’s largest dump, since 2016. I am organizing this fundraiser in memory of my dear friend and collaborator, Adja Diop, who tragically lost her life alongside four fellow waste pickers in an accident at Mbeubeuss on October 26.

Adja was an extraordinary woman: a fierce leader, a dedicated mother, and a tireless advocate for the dignity and rights of waste pickers. She was at the heart of my documentary film, The Waste Commons, which chronicles waste pickers’ struggle for recognition and livelihoods as the dump undergoes a major modernization project. Her courage, generosity, and unwavering commitment to her community will continue to inspire us. This tragedy is a painful reminder of the extreme precarity under which waste pickers live and work, and the urgent need to recognize the value of their labor and ensure their safety and security.

Adja was a single mother. This fundraiser will provide direct financial support to Adja’s family and the families of the four other victims. I will personally oversee the transfer of all donations to the five families in Senegal. Please consider contributing and sharing this fundraiser to help support them during this devastating time.