The story of Camp Hope (Chile)

Camp Hope, Chile, was a short-lived tent city which grew up around the scene of a mining disaster. It was not originally planned, but evolved spontaneously from a group of relatives camping in cars outside the mine to a well-organised site with good facilities. It lasted for about two months until the miners were rescued.

The origins of the camp

Copiapo Mine The Copiapo Mine in the Atacama Chile, is set in the world's driest desert. Following a disaster at this gold and copper mine, which turned out to have very poor safety standards, thirty three miners were trapped deep into the underground, and it was impossible to excavate the mine tunnel to reach them. However, the government decided to rescue the men and began drilling exploratory shafts. The beginnings of the camp The camp was not established by the authorities. It just grew as family members began to cluster round the mine gates. The date of the disaster was the 5th August . Within days, families were gathered around the mine gate and sleeping in cars. A critically important factor in the growth of the camp was the authorities' decision to co-operate with the families and give them access to the mine's water supplies, which were the only sources of water in the arid wilderness. Within a few days, support from individuals and organisations began to swell and tents and other supplies were sent.

The growth of the camp

Camp Hope began to develop as an institution. As Chile swung behind the miners, Chilean municipalities and institutions began to organise donations of food and other necessities of life, such as blankets and mattresses. Toys were sent for the children. A significant part in the camp's development was played by Maria Segovia, who displayed leadership and organisational skills and became known as La Alcaldessa [the mayoress].The latter and certain others provided the internal organisational links with the State authorities which made the camp work. The camp quickly evolved into institutions. Kitchens were established and a bulletin board was constructed to inform the residents of the progress of the rescue attempt. Very quickly, a prefabricated school house was assembled and lessons for the children were set up. The State set up policing services to ensure law and order, and the Roman Catholic Church provided services for the residents, rescuers and journalists. The camp's evolution continued by the development of a children's zone with a play area, and measures were taken to shield the residents from intrusion into their privacy. When the rescue was completed two months later in October, the camp was abandoned, but there are proposals to turn it into a museum.