Water

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...