Dave and John join Sor Lidia to visit 13 new home sites.
April 1, 2008
Having cleared customs at Comolapa air port, Dave and John were met by Erik and Margo, Maryknoll Missioners stationed in San Salvador. Currently they are assigned to assist Sor Lidia in her many programs in the Communities of the poor. We were driven to our lodgings in Panchimalco where the Sisters of St.Domonic oversee a mountainous guest lodge and conference center. Nxt morning Sor Lidia, Erik and Margo picked us up in the projects 4-wheel drive and off we drove to El Cedro. Roads this trip were fairly good since we beat the rainy season. Where the road ends we walk , or climb..up..then down...then up,,etc.. to three home sites. MOst of the materials have been carried in by the men, women and children of the families receiving a home, helped by several members of the community. Foundation trenching is complete and steel laid ready for cement. All work is supervised by Roselio, a master builder who has been working with Sor Lidia for several years. The foundation crew iof four men, three women,four young men and one young woman are a sight to watch. Their coordination, in such a small space, mixing, watering, carrying, pouring, sloughing the cement in 36 lineal meters of trenching is completed in less than a day ! Next day, more up and down to four other home sites where construction was in the wall building phase. Here Dave showed his building skills (rusty ?) where he laid a course of block with only one or two coorrections from Roselio. The block-crew was smiling all the while but gave Dave a cheerful send off. John was usually looking for a good shady spot to kabitz from. Third day we visited a far distant site, the village of Rosario de Mora, where four of the homes are to be built. The families here are very poor and distance from others and services are remote. Sor Lidia has been trying to do more here but the additional cost of material delivery, Roselio's time in travel and few to help has stiffeled aid. Fourth Day, after more..up and ..down we were treated to a wounderful "comedia" of baked chicken, vegies, Papusas ( the Salvadorean staple tortilla) and frescos. Sor Lidia gave a beautiful homily about the solidarity the people have with each other and with those of us who are blessed with the means and opportunity to participate in such a life changing mission. Fifth Day, final meeting with Erik, Margo and Sor Lidia. Focused on the fact that $ 45,000 (@$3000 per home) is not posssible. Sor Lidia calculates that only 13 homes, now $3460, can be built since material, fuel and delivery costs have risen approximately 12% since our last group of houses built in October of '07. Much love and friendship with our new friends, sad leaving, abrazos all around, peace.
Five Family profiles from El Salvador.
October 05 , 2007
Dominga & Mama Soltera have two children 7 & 9 and their 66 year old grandmother. Both children are in school. Dominga works in a maquila and earns $ 175 per month.
Tomas & Felicita Martinez have 10 children from 4 to 22. Seven children are in school. Tomas works as a brick layers helper and earns $ 200 per month. The two oldest sons work as part time workers in community construction.
Jose & Ana Mendez-Martinez have 2 children ages 5 and 2 years. Jose. One of the children is sick and Jose walks with the child to look for health care. He occasionally finds work as a mechanic in structual metals. (no known income)
Pedro & Demecia Ramos have 5 children ages 3 to 20. Three children are in school. Pedro works as a construction laborer and sometimes makes $ 180 per month. His oldest son sometimes works with him.
Cayetana Santos is a widower, her husband was killed three years ago. She has 6 children, ages 7 to 17. All the children are in school. The two oldest girls are much help to their mother. Cayetana works in the campo at whatever work she finds. Many persons in the community help the family which is very poor and have many problems.
Dominga & Mama Soltera have two children 7 & 9 and their 66 year old grandmother. Both children are in school. Dominga works in a maquila and earns $ 175 per month.