El Cohete
El Cohete, Guatemala
The manufacturing of “cohetes” (firecrackers) has become one of the main ways families belonging to the Mayan communities of San Juan Sacatepèquez and San Raymundo in Guatemala earn a living, 50km from the capital, Guatemala City.
While farming is carried out by the adult members of the family, the processing of gunpowder takes place all year long and uses mainly child labour because of their ability to handle and manufacture small firecrackers.
The raw materials (potassium chlorate, aluminium, sulphur) are extremely flammable. Friction, heat, and the spill of powders cause violent explosions that cause injuries, burns and even death.
While farming is carried out by the adult members of the family, the processing of gunpowder takes place all year long and uses mainly child labour because of their ability to handle and manufacture small firecrackers.
The raw materials (potassium chlorate, aluminium, sulphur) are extremely flammable. Friction, heat, and the spill of powders cause violent explosions that cause injuries, burns and even death.
