The pictured Morralito (little satchel) warns about the danger of exposure to pesticides that children in agricultural communities can be exposed to, including when they are at play at school.
MOrralitos (satchels) campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of pesticides
Alianza Nacional de Campesinas launched the Morralitos (Little Satchels) Campaign to create public awareness about the health risks of pesticides exposure for farmworker women and their families. Small satchels represent the ones farmworkers use to carry produce picked in the fields. As part of the campaign, farmworkers, their families and community members across the country decorate and exhibit satchels to express concern about pesticide exposure, share safety and health messages and demonstrate the impact of pesticides on agricultural communities.
Pesticide exposure causes farmworkers to suffer more chemical-related injuries and illnesses than any other workforce in the nation. Farmworkers are usually unaware of the pesticides to which they are constantly exposed, the related health effects, or the laws meant to protect them. This project, which was originally spearheaded by Alianza founding member Organizacion de California de Lideres Campesinas, has been creating awareness about pesticides through this campaign since 2012.
Every year, Alianza members carry out community events and media outreach to create awareness, share safety practices and advocate for changes that will protect their health and ensure their human right to safe and favorable working conditions. This year, the Morralitos Campaign and events will be organized from January 15th through February 15th.