August 3

It feels like I have been here for a long time.... unfortunately, I don't feel as if I have "changed" or seen anything 'shocking.' Maybe it is because I've been exposed to poverty via the media, or friends' stories, but most likely, it is my own selfishness. We went to see the water project, which was amazing! After many years of walking MILES to the water source, every day, the community worked together to build 2 tanks that take the water from the river, to the tanks, and then send it to the houses. We visited a building with many counsil members. We also met David, the previous mayer, who played a big role in making the water project happen, but who was not re-elected. We were told that the government wants to sell the water sources to a private company, which would cause families to be unable to afford the water that they worked so hard to gain access to! The tank serves 500 and some families, each with several members, and costs $2700 to run each month. Right now, families pay enough to keep it running, but if a private company runs it, it could easily destroy the good that the community had obtained. Not only does access to water make life easier by saving HOURS of time, but it allows crops to survive in the dry season. We visited 3 families, all of whom were so thankful to God for the water. One woman said "you look at us and say that we are poor, but we are not poor! We have water, we have a home, and we are happy." Yesterday we went to Suchitoto, a villae where they sell goods made by youth and women. Young men leaving to the USA at 18 years of age creates a big drain for El Salvador, but there is often nothing to keep them here :( ... this store attempts to provide income to some of the youth in the area. Families are sometimes given livestock and required to pay it back with equal livestock, in the future. The deadlines are not strict, realising that different seasons are more or less fruitful... this initiative seems very promising.
Everyone here is so thankful!! We were lucky to venture out and see where some groups are doing tie-dye for a living, while we were out yesterday. The famous El salvador dye is indigo, from a flower, but today they were using leaves that create a pink dye. They also experimented with a new plant, but as with the vast majority of vegetation, once it was placed in hot water, the dye was a brown colour (not something they would choose to tie-dye with).
We had a great lunch after the visits, and we actually saw the water tank. The way to and fro was long, but relaxing and I had some nice chats with our group. Interestingly enough, I find there is something unique about our church's group (6 out of the 24 people on the trip)... I can't put my finger on it, but I LOVE our team...
Tomorrow we are going to the market tomorrow and I feel a bit bothered by how excited I am :S... I feel so selfish and indulgant, being in the midst of poverty and then being so incredibly excited about going to BUY things... I feel so trapped in my own selfish mind.