What an experience El Salvador was! Sorry it took a while to update.
I left the last post ending on us waiting for Sandra to make her garden. On Tuesday, June 7, I helped Roxanne and David, two team members, teach prepositions in the English class that is taught to the locals three times a week at the LDS Employment Resource Service Center. Such a neat experience-the class members were warm and fun.
Wednesday I of course went to el Hogar del Padre Vito Guarato to play with the higher functioning adults/kids--it's hard to get over to the lower functioning adults/kids because the others flock to you when you arrive. Rachel and I co-taught a special ed class on llamas/elephants/hippos as part of a series of classes on animals. The participants are so cute, and it was worth the experience. Some participated actively, but all seemed to be content to color the animals Rachel drew. I have never taught a special ed class, let alone in Spanish, so it was interesting but so rewarding. I will miss not being there with them.
Also Wednesday brought 8 more volunteers to our already crowded apartment, which now totaled 27 persons! Fortunately, we enjoyed this new group, who was eager to work and had fun personalities.
Harrie, Kristen, and I went to Getsemani on Thursday. Sandra had decided she would rather share a plot of land her friend Patti had. It fortunately was a good area with plenty of sunlight, and Patti was very friendly. We asked them what they wanted to do, and at first they told us whatever we saw was necessary. We discovered as we all started digging that there were tree roots. It became apparent as well that as we tried to divide the land into smaller areas given the amount of materials we had to prepare the soil, Sandra and Patti were less than satisfied, as Adan had specified they could use all of it. By the end of digging one spot and transporting the materials needed to mix the soil, Patti and Sandra let us know exactly what they wanted. We therefore decided to let them get the whole soil ready and told them we would return on Monday when we knew how to resolve the problem of tree roots.
Friday was very fun and challenging, since a handful of Help volunteers went to a university to help teach English as part of an English Club there. I ended up teaching three women how to introduce themselves and hold a basic conversation , and it was great to see them write them down. They had a thirst for learning, and I'm glad I decided to have us practice the sentences throughout the time we were there.
I loved Saturday, as many Help members went to Lake Coatepeque, a beautiful, large, and clear lake which had fairly warm water. I spent the bulk of my time getting to know Megan, Mia, and Michelle, all new volunteers. That night, after eating excellent Mexican food near our house, a HUGE rainstorm hit us. Rain on the streets went as high as my calves! Kind of fun, but kind of crazy!
Monday brought both more achievements and challenges. Sandra had decided during the weekend to prepare her own garden at her house, and she made four spaces in her backyard early in the morning, which I did not know about. She seemed to misunderstand Adan on the phone, because she expected him to visit the garden in the morning, when we were actually going to Patti's to help teach her how to mix soil.
As far as Patti's garden, Patti had excellently prepared four spaces complete with a bamboo border during the time we were gone. Thinking it wise to invite Sandra, we asked Patti to bring her over as well as Sandra's cousin Stephanie to watch all of us as we prepared the soil. Then the miscommunication continued as Sandra tried to communicate she wanted the sand and cow dung for free, since she was part of the original garden but was now moving it to her house. I thought she wanted us to do the mixing of the compost later, since she kept saying she and her cousin Stephanie had to go. This was frustrating to me, since I thought it would just be easier for her to watch us mix the compost rather than wait. After some heated discussion, I finally realized what she was asking for and found out later that Sandra's daughter was sick. Patti had been planning to teach them after we left (an excellent sign they are committed to doing this without our help as much as possible). Ha ha! So we finally resolved everything.
After this, we taught Patti many things, among them how to mix sand into her soil, and how to spread a layer of cow manure on the bottom so as not to burn the seeds. I think one of the most important things we did is let Sandra and Patti know we weren't going to provide anything for any one else except creole seeds and chicken wire, both of which cannot be obtained by the community members, and that we expected people to work before they received them. We also made clear we were leaving in August, thus communicating we wouldn't always be around.
Secondly, we gave both of them options so they could use their agency. For example, we gave them the option of receiving creole seeds (which can be harvested but don't guarantee future crops) or hybrid seeds (which cannot be harvested but can be obtained nearby). Both chose creole seeds knowing the pro's and con's of each. Also, I gave Patti the choice of mixing the cow manure in with the sand/soil mix, which would have to sit for a week before planting seeds, or put the cow manure in a layer at the bottom and immediately plant seeds; she chose the latter after I explained it just depended on what she wanted. That is the key to building confidence.
After having given Patti specific directions on how much to dig, how much soil to fill above ground, how to grow plants vertically with what, etc. we left, and then purposefully visited Sandra's garden to praise her for her earlier work. She also did a good job, and she and Stephanie will share that garden. Lots of changes! I have consistently learned that being flexible is one of the most important things when helping others, as well as honest communication on both sides.
My last day, Tuesday, was a day of mixed emotions. Harrie and I went to Pizza Hut to eat delicious waffles (yes, Pizza Hut in El Salvador is super nice and serves breakfast!) Then we went to El Surco in Santa Tecla, a gardening supplier that gave us the radish, cucumber, tomato, and pipian seeds we needed. Sandra on the phone also apologized for her frustration, and we again reassured her we had no idea she was preparing her garden on Monday. I was sad to leave and not see more of the process, but I felt it was my time to leave. Pretty late that night, Harrie and I finally got a great head start on preparing the required project proposal, which must be approved by team members, the country directors, and Help. Harrie felt certain that Kristen, a fellow team member and gardener, would only what to do fun things and not plan, and I could tell she was nervous to lead. I did my best to encourage her and let her know that I knew she could do it and that it would all work out.
And it did. Harrie told me after I arrived home that she went with three other team members and discovered the woman who sells cow dung has a son who can deliver it to those who buy it. This was a great achievement, since community members don't have cars and would have to pay for a mototaxi, a critical sum of money given most don't have jobs. Patti and Sandra's brother went to the woman's place as well, which I thought would be wise for them to know, just in case. Last, Patti prepared four additional spaces on the other side of her garden and told the team she didn't expect us to provide additional cow dung or sand for those spaces. Wow! So as we have been flexible and followed certain principles, such as ownership, self-reliance, and capacity building as well as confidence building, we helped them achieve what they wanted to do. It gives me great satisfaction knowing we tried to go about things wisely, and we never forced ideas on them. They decided they want to learn how to do home gardens and plants vegetables before and while we were there, but never as our own suggestion. They also chose to harvest seeds on their own. I feel confident this, unlike the previous year, will be sustainable. I can't wait to hear about their continued successes, as Help will be there until August.
Thank you for your support and attention to this blog. Thank you, donors, for providing me the means to learn as I did and share these life-changing moments with you. Hopefully you will have changed from this blog, in that you will seek to learn how to help others. I can promise from personal experience it is one of the most important things we can learn while we are here.
Sincerely,
Travis
El Salvador Map
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A Very Flexible Week
Last Wednesday was pretty humorous, because Harrie and I needed to find cow dung to use as compost for a demonstration we were going to hold on Thursday at Getsemani. I've never spent so much time thinking about/discussing/asking around about cow manure. We found a lady named Elisabet right near Getsemani who actually sells cow dung for a cheap price ($1 per really big bag). She also told how much of each ingredient she puts in to her 3 by 4 meter garden. What a big help and a sustainable method! It helps because the manure has already gone through the organic composting process--the regular way with leaves, browns and greens can take weeks, even months to prepare. I wanted something simple and faster.
Last Thursday definitely did not go as planned. Seven of us went, and we bought sand, showed up to the meeting place, and no one came to the demonstration. Adan, the country director who has taken great interest in our project, found out from a lady named Betty that Marta, the head community leader, has isolated community members with her attitude. She also told Adan that Marta was somewhat opposed to home gardening and more in favor of community gardening, although the community gardening project is not functioning well. Tanya, another community leader, gave hints that this was also true. Before our planned demonstration, Marta unfortunately found out about it and interrogated us. She also informed us about an already existing home gardening cooperative. Britta, another volunteer, and I went to that meeting and hardly anyone showed up. I am not exaggerating when I say Marta vented and scolded them for about 2 minutes because the people who belonged to it did not show up to it. Her attitude really put us and the poor community members out. We also noticed that the yards of the community members at the bottom of Getsemani did not have enough sun to grow. A pretty challenging day! We decided to take a break from analyzing it.
Saturday was awesome. Many of my fellow volunteers and I went to two volcanoes. The initial hike was down a dirt path with logs everywhere, and it was a bit taxing. Then we climbed up the tall volcano, which was pretty steep and tiring, yet I was so excited to get to the top. The rain forest behind us was breathtaking, and the mist all around made it idyllic. The top of the volcano had steam pockets and was pretty. Hiking down was difficult and back up the rain forest took a while! Rachel and I enjoyed talking with Salvadorenos as we hiked back up.
I really felt strong that in Getsemani we needed to build on what they already have, and Adan agreed. Harrie is a bit discouraged, and she would rather work in San Lucas. I told her that's fine if she does want to, but we should at least see what they can do in Getsemani to solve their own problems.
So yesterday Adan, Kristen, and I went to Getsemani to talk to families already gardening, set up by Tanya. Unfortunately, no one showed up... We are beginning to think our meeting place has something to do with it, because it connects to Marta's house. Marta questioned me about if were there for a gardening meeting--pretty dramatic. Anyway, Adan found a woman named Sandra, a single parent who wants to have a home garden and grow vegetables. She is going to prepare her soil by Thursday. We really have a good feeling about her, and her location gets enough sun. We plan on starting on a really micro scale, starting with one woman and spreading it to all who want to be a part of it.
I have learned so much about development. First, I have learned that there may be dynamics in the community you don't understand and which you need to understand before carrying out a project. Second, I saw how patience and not getting stressed out lends itself to solutions. Third, I have seen the importance of honest assessment and fully acknowledging problems while not getting discouraged over them. Finally, planning and then adjusting is key to success. I am excited to see what Sandra does, and we will get it ready for seeds next week.
P.S. the pictures aren't being posted because I haven't had the opportunity to go where I can do that. I might create a photo album when I get back next week. Thanks for your patience!
Last Thursday definitely did not go as planned. Seven of us went, and we bought sand, showed up to the meeting place, and no one came to the demonstration. Adan, the country director who has taken great interest in our project, found out from a lady named Betty that Marta, the head community leader, has isolated community members with her attitude. She also told Adan that Marta was somewhat opposed to home gardening and more in favor of community gardening, although the community gardening project is not functioning well. Tanya, another community leader, gave hints that this was also true. Before our planned demonstration, Marta unfortunately found out about it and interrogated us. She also informed us about an already existing home gardening cooperative. Britta, another volunteer, and I went to that meeting and hardly anyone showed up. I am not exaggerating when I say Marta vented and scolded them for about 2 minutes because the people who belonged to it did not show up to it. Her attitude really put us and the poor community members out. We also noticed that the yards of the community members at the bottom of Getsemani did not have enough sun to grow. A pretty challenging day! We decided to take a break from analyzing it.
Saturday was awesome. Many of my fellow volunteers and I went to two volcanoes. The initial hike was down a dirt path with logs everywhere, and it was a bit taxing. Then we climbed up the tall volcano, which was pretty steep and tiring, yet I was so excited to get to the top. The rain forest behind us was breathtaking, and the mist all around made it idyllic. The top of the volcano had steam pockets and was pretty. Hiking down was difficult and back up the rain forest took a while! Rachel and I enjoyed talking with Salvadorenos as we hiked back up.
I really felt strong that in Getsemani we needed to build on what they already have, and Adan agreed. Harrie is a bit discouraged, and she would rather work in San Lucas. I told her that's fine if she does want to, but we should at least see what they can do in Getsemani to solve their own problems.
So yesterday Adan, Kristen, and I went to Getsemani to talk to families already gardening, set up by Tanya. Unfortunately, no one showed up... We are beginning to think our meeting place has something to do with it, because it connects to Marta's house. Marta questioned me about if were there for a gardening meeting--pretty dramatic. Anyway, Adan found a woman named Sandra, a single parent who wants to have a home garden and grow vegetables. She is going to prepare her soil by Thursday. We really have a good feeling about her, and her location gets enough sun. We plan on starting on a really micro scale, starting with one woman and spreading it to all who want to be a part of it.
I have learned so much about development. First, I have learned that there may be dynamics in the community you don't understand and which you need to understand before carrying out a project. Second, I saw how patience and not getting stressed out lends itself to solutions. Third, I have seen the importance of honest assessment and fully acknowledging problems while not getting discouraged over them. Finally, planning and then adjusting is key to success. I am excited to see what Sandra does, and we will get it ready for seeds next week.
P.S. the pictures aren't being posted because I haven't had the opportunity to go where I can do that. I might create a photo album when I get back next week. Thanks for your patience!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The Close of May
So this post will be shorter than previous ones. First, last Friday was so excellent and crazy at the same time. It was excellent, because I went with Brian, Ben, Allan, and Jared to Hogar del Padre Vitrio to work on murals for the rooms there (those with special needs sleep in those rooms). We worked on an Aladdin scene (I will put pictures up), and I couldnt help singing the songs from Aladdin! I also spent time there getting to know Alonso, someone with special needs who has a book and who was quick witted. I felt like he and I really connected during the time I wheeled him around. One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing Maria, another adult with special needs, say that she liked the mural we were painting. To me, that was so important. Loved it!
It was crazy, because our water at our place shut off. We didnt know when it would be fixed, and we were anxious, of course. It turned out to only be a day and a half thing, but I became aware of the water situation in El Salvador, whereby water is rationed. I came to empathesize with them.
We watched Voces Inocentes that night, a movie that tells the true story of Civil War there during the 80s and 90s. The corrupt government was taking 12 year old boys and enlisting them in their army. They would take them at schools, at home, etc. Boys in the film hid on rooftops to not be taken. Chiva, the 11 year old boy, has a dad that joins La Resistencia, a countermovement to thwart the corrupt government. Unfortunately, the US gave money to the corrupt government, and people here are still frustrated with that today. What an excellent film!
Yesterday I went to Getsemani again with 5 other team members and discovered that the gardeners there were mainly planting flowers. Our plan is to teach them how to make compost on Thursday and then hold a demonstration next Monday. Instead of square foot gardening, we will use bags for the small plants until they are ready to be transplanted. We will focus on inspiring confidence in the community, in which 25 people expressed interest in making home gardens. Im excited!
Thanks for following the blog! Thats all for now.
It was crazy, because our water at our place shut off. We didnt know when it would be fixed, and we were anxious, of course. It turned out to only be a day and a half thing, but I became aware of the water situation in El Salvador, whereby water is rationed. I came to empathesize with them.
We watched Voces Inocentes that night, a movie that tells the true story of Civil War there during the 80s and 90s. The corrupt government was taking 12 year old boys and enlisting them in their army. They would take them at schools, at home, etc. Boys in the film hid on rooftops to not be taken. Chiva, the 11 year old boy, has a dad that joins La Resistencia, a countermovement to thwart the corrupt government. Unfortunately, the US gave money to the corrupt government, and people here are still frustrated with that today. What an excellent film!
Yesterday I went to Getsemani again with 5 other team members and discovered that the gardeners there were mainly planting flowers. Our plan is to teach them how to make compost on Thursday and then hold a demonstration next Monday. Instead of square foot gardening, we will use bags for the small plants until they are ready to be transplanted. We will focus on inspiring confidence in the community, in which 25 people expressed interest in making home gardens. Im excited!
Thanks for following the blog! Thats all for now.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Adventure Continues!
So most of the team went to Getsemani last Wednesday. This is a small rural community that has excellent community leaders who work hard and who get the community together for meetings. They expressed interest in many things, including having home gardens. So I spent time examining existing gardens, including Juana, a community leader, and Jose, an 18 yr old who is planning on going to a local university to become an artist. He is awesome, and we instantly became friends. They are already using ash and cow dung to help fertilize the ground. I love the community--they are hard-working and very welcoming!
Speaking of gardens, Harrie Juang and I, after looking over previous data and the 19 gardens in San Lucas, none of which has maintained the square-foot garden concept, have decided to abandon it in favor of more traditional gardening as well as bag gardening. We are still trying to figure out what exactly we will teach them, and we met with Balsamo on Monday to discuss how this NGO went about using the bag method--this includes putting one plant in a bag that has compost, which we already have seen does well in San Lucas. They didn't really give us good answers, however, other than they give the bags out to people. Communication with them has been difficult, because they don't answer the question directly.
Anyway, so abandoning square-foot gardening was somewhat difficult to do, given its advantages. Yet I already knew before I came that you have to do what works, even if it may not be more efficient/nutrient-friendly.
On Saturday we went to Suchitoto, a nice area with a plaza, tourist attractions, a beautiful cathedral, and a huge lake. We went out on a boat for an hour to look at the different kinds of birds there were. One island, appropriately called Duck Island, had swarms of ducks on the trees. Very cool!
Monday was great. I went to Hogar del Padre (different from Hogar del Nino), and I sketched animals for a mural in one the rooms; I had so much fun! I also spent most of my time there with the special needs adults that were there, which I just loved. Giovanni, one of the people there, collects everyone's full name and birth date by having us point to the letters in a book he has. He was able to write everything by himself. I am grateful I was able to see what he could do instead of dwelling on what he couldn't do.
Yesterday was busy. Kristen, Adan, Ben, Brian, Jared, and I traveled to Getsemani again, and we taught a great lesson on hand washing. About 20 people showed up. One of the leaders brought out about 13 kids who introduced their names in English and sang "You Are My Sunshine" in English also. I think it was my favorite moment being here so far--so cute! Also, that song is a family favorite.
Anyway, Ben and Brian started with an activity with glitter in which we shook hands to illustrate how germs spread. I love that community, and I enjoyed helping (I led an activity where volunteers had to sort pictures of people washing their hands or having germs into good and bad piles. I had them explain to the rest why they belonged in that category.) We then had them actually wash their hands using basins, bowls, and soap. The community leaders feel it is important that five-six people from the community become leaders in each project we do there. This is excellent, because the projects become more sustainable.
Final comment--The food here is excellent. We have had pineapple pupusas, quisquil (wiskil, a green plant which is put into something called relleno), ayote last night (looks and tastes somewhat like squash). I have loved researching this and other plants, such as pipian (similar to ayote), mora, and chipilin (used for soups). They also grow a lot of sabila (aloe vera). So excited to take Medicinal Plants class after get back home!
Next Monday we will meet with Getsemani again to have a discussion about gardening. That's all for now!
Speaking of gardens, Harrie Juang and I, after looking over previous data and the 19 gardens in San Lucas, none of which has maintained the square-foot garden concept, have decided to abandon it in favor of more traditional gardening as well as bag gardening. We are still trying to figure out what exactly we will teach them, and we met with Balsamo on Monday to discuss how this NGO went about using the bag method--this includes putting one plant in a bag that has compost, which we already have seen does well in San Lucas. They didn't really give us good answers, however, other than they give the bags out to people. Communication with them has been difficult, because they don't answer the question directly.
Anyway, so abandoning square-foot gardening was somewhat difficult to do, given its advantages. Yet I already knew before I came that you have to do what works, even if it may not be more efficient/nutrient-friendly.
On Saturday we went to Suchitoto, a nice area with a plaza, tourist attractions, a beautiful cathedral, and a huge lake. We went out on a boat for an hour to look at the different kinds of birds there were. One island, appropriately called Duck Island, had swarms of ducks on the trees. Very cool!
Monday was great. I went to Hogar del Padre (different from Hogar del Nino), and I sketched animals for a mural in one the rooms; I had so much fun! I also spent most of my time there with the special needs adults that were there, which I just loved. Giovanni, one of the people there, collects everyone's full name and birth date by having us point to the letters in a book he has. He was able to write everything by himself. I am grateful I was able to see what he could do instead of dwelling on what he couldn't do.
Yesterday was busy. Kristen, Adan, Ben, Brian, Jared, and I traveled to Getsemani again, and we taught a great lesson on hand washing. About 20 people showed up. One of the leaders brought out about 13 kids who introduced their names in English and sang "You Are My Sunshine" in English also. I think it was my favorite moment being here so far--so cute! Also, that song is a family favorite.
Anyway, Ben and Brian started with an activity with glitter in which we shook hands to illustrate how germs spread. I love that community, and I enjoyed helping (I led an activity where volunteers had to sort pictures of people washing their hands or having germs into good and bad piles. I had them explain to the rest why they belonged in that category.) We then had them actually wash their hands using basins, bowls, and soap. The community leaders feel it is important that five-six people from the community become leaders in each project we do there. This is excellent, because the projects become more sustainable.
Final comment--The food here is excellent. We have had pineapple pupusas, quisquil (wiskil, a green plant which is put into something called relleno), ayote last night (looks and tastes somewhat like squash). I have loved researching this and other plants, such as pipian (similar to ayote), mora, and chipilin (used for soups). They also grow a lot of sabila (aloe vera). So excited to take Medicinal Plants class after get back home!
Next Monday we will meet with Getsemani again to have a discussion about gardening. That's all for now!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Past Week
On Wednesday Harrie, Dalyn, Adan, Jared, and I met with Balsamo, the organization that has worked with Help International in the past. I already mentioned that I felt that their projects for the environment wasn't my favorite, because I wanted to focus on helping the people directly, so I don't know if we will work with them this year. They tend to go do their own projects when they take us places.
On Thursday, we went to San Lucas, the rural community where square-foot gardens were built last summer, twenty total. We met with two of the garden leaders (Elsy Montes and Mirna Montes), and their gardens definitely morphed from the square-foot concept. For one thing, they themselves said their gardens were too small. The gardens also weren't divided into squares, and the string for Elsy's garden really didn't have any rhyme or reason. The chicken wire on Elsy's garden was partially damages, something the grandma said might have to do with an animal (but I'm wondering why they didn't fix it.) Elsy told us she had started working about two months ago and couldn't visit the people she was in charge of. She, her mother, and the kids and others were very nice.
Mirna had expanded her tiny garden, but she is planning on planting the tomato plants in una bolsa, a bag that is black and compost and nutrients in it, where the plant can grow vertically (there is a support). She told us Balsamo told her neighbor that this was the best way to plant, so we need to be flexible and see why this might be.
Some of the needs I discovered was the water situation. The area hasn't received as much rainfall as in years past, but at least some of the communities have water pumps that are run by the community itself. Those not close to the water pump resort to doing a simple purification of the rive water by putting it in a rock (I'm still confused; Jared was talking to the lady, not me). I also learned that English was a huge need because they can't obtain certain jobs in the capital. But, talking with Adan, I realized it isn't feasible for us to go only once/twice a week (it's three hours away.) I thus learned to really assess if we could help even though we may have the skills they need.
On the way back, a man named Miguel was on the bus next to me and he seemed weird at first, but I could tell he wasn't drunk. I asked him about his family, and he told me his mom died recently and his dad died a while back, that his brother was killed, and that he wasn't in contact with his other siblings. I had such sympathy for him as he explained he makes $4 a day, working so hard. He also said his family didn't ever really support him. I learned from him the hardships the people here go through, and I gained respect for him.
Monday was so busy. I lead our group of nine people to San Lucas to evaluate the effectiveness of the twenty gardens in the area, built last year. We missed a bus, because it lied to me about when it left (more like they misunderstood me). So I decided to take a pickup truck instead. It's basically a truck with railing around it to prevent people from falling. Super funny! Anyway, Carlose the driver and I were in the car as I explained to him where to go. I learned a lot about the changing nature of the gangs here from him. They are starting to not wear tattoos because the police is starting to crack down on them.uper funny! I forgot to mention that it was crazy because the copy machine wasn't open when we thought it would be, so we hand-copied the questions on the bouncy bus. Needles to say we were dizzy. Oh well, I decided to have a good attitude.
I have learned a lot about evaluation here. I expected it to be super formal, but our country director Adan told us that we would make them feel uncomfortable, so we wore pants and polos. I learned how to break the ice and help them feel comfortable as Kristen and I asked people at five of the gardens to show us around and answer questions. I felt that the four groups that went were very effective in their approaches, we learned that some family gardens were doing well and others were gone (because no crops would grow). It was a humbling experience.
We had an excellent discussion with most of the group afterwards about the gardens. We decided that if we are going to work there, we need to promote more ownership (Mirna wanted me to get bolsas for 50 more tomato plants!) We don't want to be the all-seeing white people what to do. It was obvious that nonnative plants didn't grow well, and harvesting them also is difficult to remember. One the group members, Hilary, brought up the excellent point that we controlled what seeds they got to a certain extent. I am understanding that we should teach them guidelines, but then let them run with their ideas without micromanaging them and making them feel it's our project. After all, the goal of development should be to work ourselves out of existence.
It was a great week. Enjoy the pictures!
On Thursday, we went to San Lucas, the rural community where square-foot gardens were built last summer, twenty total. We met with two of the garden leaders (Elsy Montes and Mirna Montes), and their gardens definitely morphed from the square-foot concept. For one thing, they themselves said their gardens were too small. The gardens also weren't divided into squares, and the string for Elsy's garden really didn't have any rhyme or reason. The chicken wire on Elsy's garden was partially damages, something the grandma said might have to do with an animal (but I'm wondering why they didn't fix it.) Elsy told us she had started working about two months ago and couldn't visit the people she was in charge of. She, her mother, and the kids and others were very nice.
Mirna had expanded her tiny garden, but she is planning on planting the tomato plants in una bolsa, a bag that is black and compost and nutrients in it, where the plant can grow vertically (there is a support). She told us Balsamo told her neighbor that this was the best way to plant, so we need to be flexible and see why this might be.
Some of the needs I discovered was the water situation. The area hasn't received as much rainfall as in years past, but at least some of the communities have water pumps that are run by the community itself. Those not close to the water pump resort to doing a simple purification of the rive water by putting it in a rock (I'm still confused; Jared was talking to the lady, not me). I also learned that English was a huge need because they can't obtain certain jobs in the capital. But, talking with Adan, I realized it isn't feasible for us to go only once/twice a week (it's three hours away.) I thus learned to really assess if we could help even though we may have the skills they need.
On the way back, a man named Miguel was on the bus next to me and he seemed weird at first, but I could tell he wasn't drunk. I asked him about his family, and he told me his mom died recently and his dad died a while back, that his brother was killed, and that he wasn't in contact with his other siblings. I had such sympathy for him as he explained he makes $4 a day, working so hard. He also said his family didn't ever really support him. I learned from him the hardships the people here go through, and I gained respect for him.
Monday was so busy. I lead our group of nine people to San Lucas to evaluate the effectiveness of the twenty gardens in the area, built last year. We missed a bus, because it lied to me about when it left (more like they misunderstood me). So I decided to take a pickup truck instead. It's basically a truck with railing around it to prevent people from falling. Super funny! Anyway, Carlose the driver and I were in the car as I explained to him where to go. I learned a lot about the changing nature of the gangs here from him. They are starting to not wear tattoos because the police is starting to crack down on them.uper funny! I forgot to mention that it was crazy because the copy machine wasn't open when we thought it would be, so we hand-copied the questions on the bouncy bus. Needles to say we were dizzy. Oh well, I decided to have a good attitude.
I have learned a lot about evaluation here. I expected it to be super formal, but our country director Adan told us that we would make them feel uncomfortable, so we wore pants and polos. I learned how to break the ice and help them feel comfortable as Kristen and I asked people at five of the gardens to show us around and answer questions. I felt that the four groups that went were very effective in their approaches, we learned that some family gardens were doing well and others were gone (because no crops would grow). It was a humbling experience.
We had an excellent discussion with most of the group afterwards about the gardens. We decided that if we are going to work there, we need to promote more ownership (Mirna wanted me to get bolsas for 50 more tomato plants!) We don't want to be the all-seeing white people what to do. It was obvious that nonnative plants didn't grow well, and harvesting them also is difficult to remember. One the group members, Hilary, brought up the excellent point that we controlled what seeds they got to a certain extent. I am understanding that we should teach them guidelines, but then let them run with their ideas without micromanaging them and making them feel it's our project. After all, the goal of development should be to work ourselves out of existence.
It was a great week. Enjoy the pictures!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Latest News
So much has happened! We had an amazing time doing the Amazing Race to really get to know San Salvador, the capital city where we live, on Saturday. We divided into groups of 4 and had a race complete with prizes to take pictures of certain things (like a scavenger hunt.) I have posted some pictures so you can see some of what my group did. We got there first, but were disqualified because we took a taxi. But we won an award for the best story--My story, super awkward, but I'll tell it if I have time.
We went to church yesterday and the people were funny, so nice, and I really felt the Spirit there.
Today I took a 2010 survey of three locales in San Marcos, a rural community where Help International volunteers initiated home square-foot gardens, a condensed it into an Excel doc for clarity. There are around six of us interested in these type of projects. Other people did a lot of other things. That's it for now!
We went to church yesterday and the people were funny, so nice, and I really felt the Spirit there.
Today I took a 2010 survey of three locales in San Marcos, a rural community where Help International volunteers initiated home square-foot gardens, a condensed it into an Excel doc for clarity. There are around six of us interested in these type of projects. Other people did a lot of other things. That's it for now!
Friday, May 6, 2011
The First Two Days!
Hello everyone,
It has been very busy. All 16 volunteers arrived on Wednesday, and then yesterday we went with Habitat for Humanity to help paint some houses. Those locals that were there were very nice, and it was good to see them instead of us mainly working on those houses. One of our drivers, Fernando, is a funny man who played 80s love songs on the way there.
Today we went to Fudem, a nonprofit organization based in El Salvador that is an leader in eye health care. I as well as others am planning on teaching visual acuity tests on certain days, where we go out to rural communities to do a basic eye test in Spanish. We were trained on it today, and I realized what bad eyesight I have :) The organization has a lot of staff and covers the whole country.
The people here are talkative, friendly, and my team members and I get along very well. The food is excellent, and I have had beans, chicken, rice, mangos, platano (fried banana), and pupusas (a food El Salvador is famous for!)
I havent taken pictures because we are still adjusting to the bus system here and I dont want to get robbed, but I will soon.
Thank you very much, and I will talk to you later.
It has been very busy. All 16 volunteers arrived on Wednesday, and then yesterday we went with Habitat for Humanity to help paint some houses. Those locals that were there were very nice, and it was good to see them instead of us mainly working on those houses. One of our drivers, Fernando, is a funny man who played 80s love songs on the way there.
Today we went to Fudem, a nonprofit organization based in El Salvador that is an leader in eye health care. I as well as others am planning on teaching visual acuity tests on certain days, where we go out to rural communities to do a basic eye test in Spanish. We were trained on it today, and I realized what bad eyesight I have :) The organization has a lot of staff and covers the whole country.
The people here are talkative, friendly, and my team members and I get along very well. The food is excellent, and I have had beans, chicken, rice, mangos, platano (fried banana), and pupusas (a food El Salvador is famous for!)
I havent taken pictures because we are still adjusting to the bus system here and I dont want to get robbed, but I will soon.
Thank you very much, and I will talk to you later.
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