Human Rights

Although we have only been here for a little over a week, I feel like we have experienced so much here in El Salvador. It has been a great experience so far. I have grown so much! Multiple times on the trip I have felt moments of overwhelming happiness. This feeling has not come from one specific event but the culmination of everything. Talking with people and interacting with them has proved to be the most valuable part of the trip. Everyone is so curious to know why a group of "gringos" are in El Salvador. It is nice that a majority of the people you see say hi and smile. Also, everyone in the community is so welcoming and make us feel as if our purpose for being here has already been recognized, even though we have done minimal work so far. They are all so grateful for the time and the money that we spent to get here and the time we spend with them. It is really great to see that by just our mere presence we are able to make such a difference in peoples lives. Especially these people who may not get that same feeling from their government.

Human rights is a big issue here in El Salvador. People like those living in Altos de Jardines are living in very dire conditions and struggle to survive. The conditions of the water and of their houses are not up to the minimum living standards that we enjoy in the US. There are many dangers in communities such as Altos de Jardines such as "aguas negras" (polluted water) and the garbage that line the walkways. Sickness is a big problem. It is important to remember that as human beings everyone deserves a certain minimum standard of living. We are all humans. It is hard to see others suffer especially when you begin to get to know them. It is hard to see the kids in the community who have such determination, intelligence and personality and wonder if they will ever see a better life. Will they be able to go to college? Will they ever have a steady job? With all of their potential there are really no opportunities for them in their current place. It is difficult to know what the solution is, but I think that there definitely needs to be a change somewhere, mostly at a government level.

I look forward to working more with the community and getting to know these people. I think that the bonds we make we will keep for the rest of our lives. I also think the people of the community will keep us close to their hearts. Human relationships are the most important thing in the world and they help us to open our eyes. I hope to teach the people of the community, but I think in the end they will be mostly be teaching me.