On Wednesday we only worked until lunch. After lunch we boarded 2 mini-buses for the long ride to Santiago de Maria. The drive through the country side was very beautiful. More than once we passed people doing their laundry in a stream or river. Santiago de Maria is right next to a volcano. A pretty common occurrence considering there are 14 volcano's in El Salvador. The other side of this particular volcano is the little town of Berlin. I had hoped we could make it there to visit Kathy. She has been here from Des Moines doing work for several churches. Over 2 years in country is one long time. We toured the town that was thrown together over 10 years ago as a place for these people to live after their homes were wiped out in earthquakes. Many children living here know no other life. They are planning to build houses for these people over the next 4 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxgsuw5xE_g&feature=plcp
We visited with a young mother in her one room shack. Her children and a friend were watching TV. Dora the Explorer Disney is everywhere.
We did notice allot of black plastic on the walls and ceiling. We asked the mother what the purpose was of the plastic. You will be shocked when you find out. And it was not to keep out the rain. Some of the mothers in our group were so moved by the answer they had to step outside to gather themselves.
The picture at the right shows another group of houses built in El Salvador. The houses in Santiago de Maria will be 375 square feet. Just over 400 of them. Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity has pledged to pay for 25 of the homes at a cost of $7000 each. If you would make a donation contact Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity at
515-471-8686. Remember cash is good but the ReStore sells your slightly used merchandise.
I am also looking for help to pay my way back to El Salvador. Send me an email at wkursch@aol.com.
Next the walls go up.
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