Yesterday on our way back from one of the communities we were stopped for nearly an hour or so because there was a demonstration about water. One of the communities is not receiving water regularly, and this is their only way of getting ANDA (the government organization in charge of water) to act. I do know that these types of demonstrations are common, and access to clean water is a problem in all parts of the world, but I feel like so many people DON´T know this. I mean, as Americans, could you imagine having to stage a demonstration to stop traffic on a major highway in order to get WATER?! Its sick, its sad...
Another learning experience yesterday was why one of the communities that I am working in, Bajolempa, is flooded every year. Supposedly the government wants to create a tourist area near there since it is not far from the ocean, by the Lempa River, and the land is good. Anyway, the government hasn't built an access road to the ocean (why should they help the poor people?). Even worse, they have not replaced the dam that would protect the people from yearly flooding during the rainy season. Apparently, their tactic is to make the people desperate to sell their land so that it can be bought at a low price and then develop the land into hotels, golf courses, parks, etc. So very, very sad. And if you saw the poverty in the community...I haven't even been in the homes, but I've met the people. Unbelievable. Two other communities that I am working in have their distinct problems as well. One community has been in a shelter for nearly a year due to the volcanic eruption here in October. 30 families in an area smaller than some houses. So much of it seems to be about money and greed. Why is the world like this? And why don't more people care? And why can't I do more to help solve the problem? While it isn´t easy to witness all of this, I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world because I am here in solidarity with these amazing people. And they have taken me in, and they tell me their stories, and they thank ME just for being there. I love them, I do...
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Thursday, May 04, 2006
City Girl (or at least not Outdoor Girl!)
I had a nerve-wracking, scary night last night. There were all of these flying, huge beetles or cockroaches that kept coming into my house from outside—looks like I’m going to have to fashion some screen or something, huh? (Where is MacGyver when you need him? Oh, I know, in San Cristobal !). Then, a bat flew into my house (I have high ceilings), and I freaked out for a bit. Well, the beetles stopped bothering me after I turned on the outside light, and turned off the inside light, and I have no idea where the bat went—he wasn’t here in the morning. I’ll be happy when the other Volunteer that I’ll be living with moves in this week—I’m such a baby! I mean, I live in a town, I have electricity, water, flush toilet… but the night can be scary, especially when there are all of these foreign creatures flying about!
On another note, for those of you who don’t know, I’ll be receiving my MPH from Tulane this month (finally!) I’m taking my final exam online on Thursday, and then I’m done! I feel like the project that I’ll be working on here in El Salvador really could benefit from a public health perspective. It’s exciting to finally be able to apply some of what I learned at Tulane to a real life project. As I said before, though, whether it is successful or not is a completely different story. Essentially, the project involves working with a local musician here to plan and implement 8 workshops with kids (songs, stories, theater, puppets) who are living in poverty and have been affected by one of the natural disasters. I’ve been out to 2 of the communities already, and the kids are so cute! We were giving out shoes in one community, and this little boy (I think he had Down’s syndrome) gave me a big kiss on the cheek when I gave him his shoes—I nearly cried! But, its not just about making me feel good…I learned that from Peace Corps the first time. The problems here are serious. The level of poverty and inequity is much different than Uzbekistan, and the risk of natural disasters is a constant threat to so many people. El Salvador is a country prone to earthquakes, flooding, and volcanic eruption—it amazes me how “vulnerable” the country is; yet people survive! It’s so hard to grasp this, because I want solutions, but I know that there is no easy or quick solution. My part, and even the role of REDES (the organization I’m working with), is so small in the larger scheme of things, but I’m happy to be part of such a community-focused organization.
So, I’ve spent much of my time this weekend planning, reading, and trying to come up with a concrete evaluation plan for this program so that we can learn something from what we are doing. I don’t know if I’m on the right track, but who does? Is there really a “right” way to do things anyway? It seems to me that coming from a deep, true love for people and tempering it with realism, openness, and willingness to explore the ethics behind something is at least a good starting point in order to “do the right thing”.
On another note, for those of you who don’t know, I’ll be receiving my MPH from Tulane this month (finally!) I’m taking my final exam online on Thursday, and then I’m done! I feel like the project that I’ll be working on here in El Salvador really could benefit from a public health perspective. It’s exciting to finally be able to apply some of what I learned at Tulane to a real life project. As I said before, though, whether it is successful or not is a completely different story. Essentially, the project involves working with a local musician here to plan and implement 8 workshops with kids (songs, stories, theater, puppets) who are living in poverty and have been affected by one of the natural disasters. I’ve been out to 2 of the communities already, and the kids are so cute! We were giving out shoes in one community, and this little boy (I think he had Down’s syndrome) gave me a big kiss on the cheek when I gave him his shoes—I nearly cried! But, its not just about making me feel good…I learned that from Peace Corps the first time. The problems here are serious. The level of poverty and inequity is much different than Uzbekistan, and the risk of natural disasters is a constant threat to so many people. El Salvador is a country prone to earthquakes, flooding, and volcanic eruption—it amazes me how “vulnerable” the country is; yet people survive! It’s so hard to grasp this, because I want solutions, but I know that there is no easy or quick solution. My part, and even the role of REDES (the organization I’m working with), is so small in the larger scheme of things, but I’m happy to be part of such a community-focused organization.
So, I’ve spent much of my time this weekend planning, reading, and trying to come up with a concrete evaluation plan for this program so that we can learn something from what we are doing. I don’t know if I’m on the right track, but who does? Is there really a “right” way to do things anyway? It seems to me that coming from a deep, true love for people and tempering it with realism, openness, and willingness to explore the ethics behind something is at least a good starting point in order to “do the right thing”.
April 29
April 29, 2006
Even though I’m really hot, and I felt pretty awful physically yesterday, I feel this sense of balance in my life and like I’m in the right place. I don’t feel the elated high that I felt at one point in my life while I was in Mexico, just a sense of peace and purpose. I think that’s what it is more than anything—I feel like I have a focus, and it’s a focus that I want to have. I’m excited and interested in what I’m doing and what I’m about to do. I don’t know if its going to be a success or not, but I know that I’m going to learn…a lot. It’s the right mix of support and independence. I hope that I’m not being too idealistic, but I’m trying to temper my optimism with realism. And the Salvadoran people, so far, have been really great—I wish that everyone could experience their patience and perspective…
Even though I’m really hot, and I felt pretty awful physically yesterday, I feel this sense of balance in my life and like I’m in the right place. I don’t feel the elated high that I felt at one point in my life while I was in Mexico, just a sense of peace and purpose. I think that’s what it is more than anything—I feel like I have a focus, and it’s a focus that I want to have. I’m excited and interested in what I’m doing and what I’m about to do. I don’t know if its going to be a success or not, but I know that I’m going to learn…a lot. It’s the right mix of support and independence. I hope that I’m not being too idealistic, but I’m trying to temper my optimism with realism. And the Salvadoran people, so far, have been really great—I wish that everyone could experience their patience and perspective…
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