Octavio González, 55, lives in Acajutla, he is a hardworking man, but above all a responsible and loving father.
He was widowed seven years ago, breast cancer took away his wife of 18 years, and since then he has dedicated himself exclusively to working and raising his five children and a grandson.
The need to raise his children forced him to look for a trade that would allow him to work at home and that is how he had the idea of recycling plastic bags to make hammocks, wallets and other products.
In the middle of making the hammocks. Photo: Óscar Josué Reyes
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“After the death of my wife we were left with nothing, what little we had we invested in her treatment, but we could not recover her from cancer, it hit us hard. I looked for where to earn money and I observed that the plastic bags stretch and become a strong material, having so many throats I decided to collect them and make a hammock, and little by little I was learning and perfecting the technique. What for many is useless or garbage, for me it is the raw material for the support of my family, “he said.
Octavio travels daily, either on foot or by bicycle, up to 25 kilometers of the road to the municipality of Acajutla, where he lives with his children, in search of discarded plastic bags.
Don Octavio shows his works. Photo: Óscar Josué Reyes
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He claims that some people who know him and know what he does, collect the bags they no longer use and deliver them to him later.
Octavio turns plastic bags into different products such as backpacks, purses and cases, but his main craft is hammocks, which he says has allowed him to support his children.
Depending on the size, hammock prices are around $ 35; while the wallets are sold for $ 4.
Search nearby streets for plastic bags to make hammocks. Photo: Óscar Josué Reyes
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In addition, in the rainy season, without being an agricultural professional, Octavio takes the opportunity to plant corn and vegetables, of which he sells one part and the other is used to feed his five children and grandson.
“My life changed, since I was a father, the outings to play soccer on Sundays ended, you had to be at home, but when my wife was absent it was very hard. There were times when my oldest daughter got sick and I had to put tortillas, cook beans, from there I could understand that it is not only that they tell you that you are a father because you have children, but that you have to prove it with facts, because if you are not there the mother has to wash clothes too. The love that one gives to children is incomparable ”, expressed Octavio.
The effort that he makes every day is compensated by the great love that his children profess for him: Tania Yaneth, 24 years old; Moises Dagoberto, 22 years old; Stefany Johanna, 20 years old; Brandon Balmore, 12, and Doris Saraí, 10. The two youngest continue with their basic education studies. While his first three children have already finished the ninth grade and are dedicated to working to help their father with the expenses of the house and the studies of their brothers.
He is passionate about agriculture. Photo: Óscar Josué Reyes
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“He is a great father, because even though we lost our mother, he never left us alone, he was always supporting us, fighting, and showing us his love. For us it is our reason for living, it is the only thing we have and the good thing is to always be next to him. On Father’s Day we try to make him a lunch so that he knows how happy and grateful we are with him, “said Tania.
Octavio’s children do not hide how proud they are of their father, so they say they will never leave him alone.
Five years ago Octavio suffered a stroke, he says it was due to the difficult situation he faced after the death of his wife, but he says he found the strength to recover, although he has not been able to continue with his treatment due to lack of financial resources.
“I have had to cry for the lack of my wife, anyone who does not love the person forgets her, but when that person is the one with whom she has lived a life, it is difficult. The only thing that fills me in her emptiness is the love of my children, ”he said.
Octavio and his children live as an inn in a house made of sheet and wood, on the Los Gavilanes farm, in the El Sálamo de Acajutla canton. The family’s needs are many, but Octavio strives so that they do not lack the basics. If you want to support him with the purchase of his products, you can call him at 6048-9923.
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