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Walking with the poor - notes from the field |
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MISSION AWARENESS TRIP TO El SALVADOR
Beauty and faith amid stark living conditions Despite natural disasters and social problems, including a lack of access to proper health services, good nutrition, housing, adequate water supplies and decent income, the beauty of this smallest country of Central America and its people, their faith and hope stand out. CFCA works closely with the communities in need, offering them many benefits and services to help all families reach their desired potential, dignified living conditions and full participation in their communities. Monthly nutritional food rations, school supplies, uniforms, school and sports shoes, school tuition, computer classes, vocational training, lab tests, doctor consultations, medicine and vitamins, and clothing, are some of the many blessings that our families receive as a result of the loving support of sponsors. Gasoline here costs $3.75 to $3.95 per gallon and a textile worker makes $175 per month while a farm worker makes only $82. A family of four spends $33 per month on transportation, $50 for rent, $7 for electricity and $5 for water.
Visit to new project In the town of Huizucar, a new CFCA project, kindergarten kids told us in song, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you could say to the mountains—moevense (Move!), and the mountains would move…sick would be healed…families would be loved.” We divided into three groups to visit homes. My "family" consisted of a little 6-year-old girl, Graciela, and her grandmother, Martha. Can you imagine being so poor as to not even bear the name of your father or mother? Such is the case of this abandoned little girl. The grandmother has given Graciela her own last name. The adobe shelter, which the grandmother does not own, is dark, damp, smoky, cramped and—unacceptable. This little girl is not sponsored but she is on the list for sponsorship. I’m praying that someone from this group will “pick her up,” for the need is profound. Sister Laura told us that, in her estimate, of the 258 students they have in the parish grade school, only 5 to 6 percent have both mom and dad at home.
'Reality' of Valle Nuevo, sub-project SFMA
One of our volunteer community promoters, named Luis, comes from an area known starkly as La Realidad/ Reality. Luis was born into poverty with no chance to get an education and was orphaned. He ended up as a recycler in the dump and later got a job working at a maquila/textile sweat shop, owned by a foreign company, working more than 60 hours per week and earning a total of $26 per week. Luis’ wife still works there and could not get permission to be with us today. Luis is extremely grateful for the opportunities offered through CFCA. By working at odd jobs during the week and studying on Sundays, Luis will soon finish a high school education. He has hopes of continuing his education. He also worked on the construction of their new permanent cement block home. Both children are healthier now and studying in good schools. Things are looking up in La Reality.
These reports are written and offered to you as we travel. I am most grateful for your solidarity and prayer. As we drive back towards Guatemala, we are grateful to our Salvadoran colleagues and MAT participants for a truly wonderful trip. I wish you God’s blessings, and I ask your prayers.
Bob Hentzen |
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