Angel of the Garbage Dump
How Hanley Denning Changed the World, One Child at a Time
Angel of the Garbage Dump is the biography of a courageous change-maker, Hanley Denning.
Denning first encountered the Guatemala City dump that she came to think of as “home” in 1999. Though her early experiences there were overwhelming, she stayed. She grew to know the people and the place well. She exercised compassion in her work, and was thoughtful about her problem-solving.
Later, Denning started a nonprofit, Safe Passage, that works to break the cycle of poverty through education, healthcare, nutrition, and social services. The book captures the essence of who she was and what she did—including the harrowing story of how her work continues to effect lasting change, even after her death in a car accident in 2007.
Drawing on interviews with Denning’s family and friends, as well as with Safe Passage staff members, this book conveys a deep sense of its Guatemalan setting. It mentions elements of Catholicism, violence, poverty, and resilience. And it sets all of these factors into the broader context of worldwide poverty. The raw photographs capture both the setting and its people in a humanizing, profound way.
Angel of the Garbage Dump is the inspiring biography of a woman who sought to change the world, beginning with one community.
Reviewed by
Melissa Wuske
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
