Setting Writing Goals

The things I want to accomplish this semester are mainly to organize and put into action my ideas. I had an amazing experience this summer and it’s only been a couple weeks and it already feels like the inspiration is slowly slipping through my fingers.

            I met incredible people who do so much to help others. I was there to see these people make sacrifices to do the best job; there were opportunities to slack and perhaps take an afternoon nap. But these people were constantly trying to improve the projects for the kids, filing paper work, making and preparing materials. What I value most about their work is the fact that I can trust them to do and choose the best for the kids.

            As we prepared to leave on the field study, our mentors and teachers emphasized our need to do reciprocity for those who we worked with and had hosted us. I tried to keep an eye open for anything I could do, but it wasn’t until the last few weeks that I realized what would actually be helpful for the organization.  It took some time to really see what would be most helpful. In the beginning I was thinking about the generic aid strategies, money, shoes, and yes those would be helpful but they’re a few more specific things that would help out the facilitators. They work a lot with the kids in big fields, and use athletic equipment every day.  Orange cones are used multiple times a day! They also need soccer balls, pumps, and paint to make materials.

            Just in case I didn’t catch what they needed just based on my observations, I asked the project coordinator what he thought would be a good contribution. It made me happy when he said, “Can you just stay here forever?” Later we discussed the possibility of starting a sponsoring program for the kids. The facilitators in El Salvador would seek out the cases that need the most help, and I would help to match them up with a sponsor here. We haven’t quite set up a system yet; maybe the sponsors can each be for a specific athletic equipment for one of the communities.

            This is where I need some planning, and organizing. How can I continue to help while I am here? Ultimately I would love to be able to set a somewhat self-sustaining system I can manage and advertize for.  I have thought about setting up a fundraiser, or “awareness” booth somewhere. And would these be the best ways to help? I can’t physically be there to help all of the time…even though I would love to. 

            I think writing will be a good chance to not only explore and develop the ideas born on this trip, but writing can also help me solidify my good intentions and actually make something happen. I am not out to change the world, but rather make those small changes that can make life a little easier for those who already give and do so much.  One thing for example, would be helping one of the facilitators finish his home. He works everyday teaching soccer to the kids; he has children of his own, and has been saving to finish his home for a while now. He only needs $300.  And I need to think of a way to let people know how to help. And to be completely honest, I believe I need some idea-development myself. Where there is a will there is a way!

A Thoughtful Return

I know I have changed as a result of my experience because I feel like I have finally resolved a huge inner conflict I had been battling for a few years now. I was born in El Salvador, but moved to the US when I was still young. Even though I always remembered my country and my many youthful adventures there I knew that there was something keeping me from belonging there. I know I came back, I know I left my homeland once more, however this time have taken back my right to say that I am from El Salvador. My trip changed me as I have taken back my pride to be a foreigner. It was easy to try to ignore my past once I was here. The many adventures, sunrises and sunsets I lived in El Salvador, were quickly silenced by the mocking laugher of the children who pointed at me in middle school for not speaking their language, for wearing old clothes, and for simply being different.

The lessons from my experience I never want to forget are the ones that were taught to me by the children I had the pleasure of working with. These kids march forward in life, barefoot, malnourished, yet with a big smile on their face. They are the most creative children I have ever seen. They will turn the dimmest environment into a playground even Fisher Price would be jealous of. I never want to forget this optimism. Its not that they are unaware that they don’t have much, they watch TV they know how the rest of the world lives, but they don’t let this affect their ability to create happiness.

I wish I could explain to my family and friends that I was not on vacation for three months. I feel like even though I have explained it a thousand times, and gone as far a posted my blog on my Facebook page people still think I just went to vacation for the summer. They really don’t realize how much work this was. They don’t realize how mentally and physically challenging these few months have been.  I taught almost 3 classes a day. And each class was in a different town; somewhere up to 30 minutes away or more in the motorcycle. By the end of the day, my arms legs and booty were exhausted. Sometimes there wasn’t enough time to eat a proper breakfast or lunch. Mentally—well imagine trying to control a class of twenty-four 12 to 17 year olds. I had to find new ways to keep them engaged, and enthusiastic about coming to the classes. By the end though, the hour and a half class time did not seem like enough time to spend with the kids.

Now that I am home the thing I want to do with this experience is use it to fuel my next project. I want to create an aid program to collaborate along side with FUNDAMUNI (the organization I worked with) to bring more uplifting changed to these war-affected regions of El Salvador. Throughout my experience in high school and college here in the United States I have heard about countless aid relief efforts and organizations involved with helping all of the Central American countries, except for El Salvador. I know it is dangerous to go there…but I was born here, my siblings still live here, the kids I spent three months with count on a future to live in this same country so many are afraid to visit. There are organizations here, but really how many times have you heard, “Aid for Guatemala! Nicaragua, and Honduras”? It is El Salvador’s turn. I want begin writing the backbone of this organization. I don’t know how to call it yet (I am open to suggestions) but ultimately I need a framework, a story, and a written form to explain and convey what needs to be done in El Salvador and how everyone can help.

Water and Sanitation

I don't think I found many surprises when looking at the sanitation aspects of my stay. Everything is dirt. There are dirt roads, and dirt floors, though I don't  think this necessarily means everything is "dirty".
What I did love was the fact that everyone is very conscious of washing their hands before they eat. Its good I also got in the habit of that. Even the most run down place to eat will have a little sink on the side. And if its a house where they are serving the food, the clients are welcome to go into the house to wash their hands. It was very interesting having this opportunity to check out many little homes this way.

One of the major problems I found were the latrines. This was the most high quality facility I found in all of Chalate. At least there is paper! The problem with this is that bugs and such get into.. yeah, and spread any diseases that might be there...  covering it helps, but as you can see not everyone remembers to do so.

The other problem is the water and how it is way too public. For example one day I saw a child and a horse drinking from the same poso, or little water whole. I don't know but this didn't seem too safe for me. Animals and people shouldn't share it all..

This is where the people drink from. These faucet are commonly found around soccer fields, parks, or town plazas.

 Its is a good thing however to see that there is clean water available!

This water is very clean compared to the lake near by. One day I was complaining about the heat, to one of the town's people. He told me it was too bad that the lake was so dirty. I walked a little up town and saw what he was talking about... 

I don't know if the people have just developed super strong immune systems from all the exposure they get, but I was surprised to see how they stored water in one of the schools...

They are open containers, with dirt, animals, and leafs falling inside. This day the girl here (Jessica) was getting some water to cook. They were making dulce tipicos. The kids have dulceria-which is a class where they are taught how to make these candies. After they made the batch we ate it! Using leafs as our plates! It was very good, I took a picture of it too.

Super YUMMY! Even though it looks a bit suspicious haha.

 If you had just had a accident, or anything that needed immediate attention this is what would take you on the dumpy road, about 40 to 2 hours to the hospital in the biggest city of the departamento (state).

Okay, so some of my last concerns were for the emergency preparedness, awareness, and response. The problems are the lack of transportation, facilities, and equipment. The roads are very inaccessible, and the ambulances are falling apart. 

Most people have to depend of local medicine in their towns. There usually is a town "curandero" or "sobadero" who can take care of broken bones, or sprained ankles, etc. I don't know how to put videos on this thing, we took one of my friends to a sobadero to get his shoulder fixed. These people don't to study how to massage the muscles, or what herbs to take--they just pass on the knowledge to the next person. Everyone seemed to have a pretty good basic understanding of the plants around them and how these can be used as medicine.

I love the fact that 3 months were long enough time to get a look as many areas of public health. I had time to go to the schools and hospitals, and towns meetings about programs, etc. There are a lot more stories and observations to talk about and share. This was a good way to begin to introduce the many challenges these communities face on a daily base.

THIS is what we do!

I really had no idea how much FUNDAMUI does for the communities they work with. I have been able to learn so much and do so much so far.
I can't believe I only have two weeks left in the field, each day goes by so fast!

So, FUNDAMUNI basically works in projects. First they see the unique necessities of each community and then they form campaigns to execute them. What I love about the projects is that they are done and organized locally. The main office of the organization is in the capital. Life in the capital is 100% different than life in these communities. Unless you are from these places you have no idea what the real problems are. FUNDAMUNI not only recognizes that, but also is doing something to solve this comprehension gap.

For their campaigns they hire a community representative to join the project. These representatives, run, organize, and report back to the office. In each 'departamento' or state of the country FUNAMUNI has an office. Right now FUNDAMUNI has been working most closely with children in Chalatenango. This is where I've been living Tuesday through Saturdays. The athletics, soccer, and dance teacher (me) live in San Salvador, we travel each week and live at the office, which is a big house with beds, etc. for us to live in.
The representatives of the communities are also teachers. Most of them only teach in their community, it is us who teach more specialized things that travel to all the communities. And we sure travel a lot! Even though it can be exhausting I am truly getting to see it all!

Every Friday morning, from 8am to 12pm all the teachers from all the communities meet in the main office of the state to discuss the week. We plan out the next week, see how to solve problems, and develop future projects.

I love blogs with fotos, that's why I make the effort to take pics! This is what we do.....

I already talked about the trash collecting campaign, but there are more.

FUNDAMUNI gave each family a fruit tree to plan in their land. This is going to not only provide the family with fruit to eat, but also a source of income if they decide to sell the fruit. The children loved when we delivered the trees to their school :)

 The kid in the middle of this

picture is seriously a little MESSI! Best soccer player I've seen yet. And the plays in his socks...

The soccer league we have going on is also a big deal. Each community has four teams compete for the trophy. There is the kid's team (ages 8-13) and the youth (13-17).  Each age group has a team of boys and a team of girls. Some of the kids that are on the teams are in my dance workshops. They dance at the tournaments, were the winning team gets a trophy and the dances a diploma of participation and a dance uniform for the school to keep.

FUNAMUNI makes it a point to begin each game telling the kids that this is for fun. That rivalry is not good and that they should understand that they are all part of a bigger team. The organization provides the kids with uniforms, soccer balls, and transportation to each event. This is the final between two communities, it takes many weeks for all communities to play one another until only two are left for the final. The final was held on a Saturday. Parents came, siblings came, many of the town folk came. Local food vendors also came to the event to make some money. That day I ate a mango with chile, ice cream, yuca frita, and yes my belly hurt a little after but it was well worth it.
The organization also brings the kids Gatorades and apples as snacks. There was music, and big speakers were the rest of the town could hear each play.

FUNAMUNI also has painting workshops, there are murals all over the towns painted by the children. I will make sure to take a picture of some this week when I travel to the different places.

These programs are not funded by the schools. If it wasn't for FUNDAMUNI they would not be also to discover the arts such as painting and dancing. And they would not be able to receive athleticism or soccer classes. This is what I like about Public Health. It's not about fixing something necessarily broken, but it is about improving and preventing on a large scale.

What is coming up now is the carrera de kilometro (The kilometer mile race) in this event kids get to participate in an Olympics type project. We have gone around to each community and held races, long jumps, and other olympic games and have selected teams to represent each community. On the 28th we are bringing these kids to the capital to compete for a trophy here in a stadium in the city. The kids are super exited to get the change to come compete here in a real stadium. And my kids are going to be dancing!! ah!!

On a side note.... El Salvador truly has some great athletes, artists and dancers! Not to mention the little Leo Messi, I'm sure when he grows up he will be on the national team!

Common knowledge in El Salvador...

I've encountered some pretty interesting common knowledge here. Now, before I begin I don't mean to make fun of people's belief's here... Though, some of the things are kind of funny.

This common knowledge covers all subjects, health and well being, and everyday life.

So, I went to eat valiadas at this place that had a ton of water bags hanging from the roof. When I asked the cook why  she had these up she said it was to scare the flies away.   ???? Yeah, so I asked her how?  She said she had no idea...and that frankly she didn't think it worked, but that they looked nice anyway.
After spending half my lunch time waving the flies off my place, I ended up agreeing with her--the bags did look nice...

Here is the fly fighting bag..

There also seems to be a lot of common knowledge and advice concerning babies. The other day I heard a lady say that hiccups could be cured if you put a red string on the baby's forehead. It was the same lady that told me that one should not eat and breast feed at the same time, because the baby could choke on a crumb.

There is also a bracelet that prevent people from giving babies "the stink eye". If they are not wearing this bracelet someone could give them the "eye" and one of their eyes could turn smaller than the other, they could even die.

What's really interesting to me is that this is not one person's beliefs. Most people I have talked to have had plenty of these to give me advice with. 

I had a dog hair fly in my mouth, so I spit it out. I was told that if I ate five of those I would become infertile..

No one really knows how these things happen, but they do.

Trash collection campaign!

We dance, but we also pick up trash! Every two months or so we organize a "campaña de limpieza" which translates to a trash collection campaign. Basically we gather all the kids from one community and meet at the local park or soccer field, we bring trash bags the kids bring their hands and we clean up!
I love it! Especially because we are teaching the kids that throwing the trash everywhere affects their own community. People in El Salvador have a nasty habit of throwing everything everywhere. People pee on the sidewalks and throw their trash out their windows.
So, we start them early and attempt to teach them to take care of their planet earth...

Here are the little trouble makers hard at work!

Contamination does worry me. The same day we were cleaning up we had a case of a sick little boy. He was throwing up and feeling faint. His big sister said he had been like that for a few days now... she said he must have eaten something.

I agree. If he drank contaminated water, washed food with contaminated water, or prepared a meal with contaminated anything this could make him sick. As a Public Health major I am closely paying attention to everything around me that is health related, and it is a lot.

While working here in Chalatenango I've had the pleasure to meet this little boy, his name is Jairito. He is such an example to all of us... he is also one of the biggest trouble makers! He lifts the young girl's skirts with his toes..haha. I can't help but wonder if the contamination around this area, both environmental and prenatal had anything to do with his condition. 

Jairo is an example to all.

What occupies my days..

So, I’ve been interning at this organization called FUNDAMUNI. Even though I read through their history and yearly planned projects, I had no idea what they actually did. I thought I did, but now that I am here I can tell that they are a pretty special organization.

This is how it works:

The government has created a (very tiny) budget to give aid to the most war-affected areas of El Salvador.

Every year a bunch of NGO’s plan projects and organize presentations to get this funding, FUNDAMUNI has been rocking it since 1994 and manages to get funding.

(This makes me wonder how stable their aid can be if the government decides to quit “helping” the people.)

FUNDAMUNI not only works in different geographical areas, but they also work in different structural areas of the society. They work with children, adults, local government, schools, etc.

Now, what I am doing is helping out with the youth programs. I am the dance teacher. I work with multiple communities and at the end of the program in their school we have a presentation of showcase of what they have learned. Just recently the youth (ages 12-17) performed in front of their whole community.

Here is a picture of my beautiful girls!

I am just loving being here. I feel like I have created a good relationship with the kids, they tell me about their lives, we joke around, they teach me something new every day.

Most of them don’t have much, they don’t own a TV, or ipod, they barely have more than two pairs of shirts, and more often than not they come to practice barefoot, yet they are always happy and eager to learn and play. As an American society I think we have a lot to learn about giving less value to our stuff, and more value to experiences. So, instead of watching so much TV we should go out and play something, meet up with friends, be social… and instead of listening to our ipods so much maybe we should try talking to the person next to us on the bus or subway.

These kids know each other so well. Granted they do live in communities of less than 400 people, but I bet if we took the time to go up the street and meet our neighbors like they do we would be able to unite our communities a little more.

How many of us even know who are neighbors are? What their names are? If they have kids?

If we don’t know them, how can we be able to collaborate to better our neighborhoods?

Just the other day, there were too many bushes and trees blocking the entry way to one community. So, they had a neighborhood meeting, they grabbed machetes and cut down the bushes and tree.

Proof of Life..

Hello! Yes I am alive. Things in El Salvador are going just as expected... since I expected nothing.
It is adventure after adventure here. I am teaching children dance and culture, I didn't think I would get the chance to run my own workshop--but here I am.

I will update more later. Every story must be told.

This is me with one group.

There are about 5 communities we travel to, my largest class is of 24.

I love this place. I love these kids, and I love this work!

Hoy

Today I learned a lot about community, family and customs. I was invited to my friend’s house for dinner. His family was celebrating Easter, and he invited our close group of friends to eat with them.

His mother is Salvadoran; she has 3 brothers and one sister that came to the dinner too. We asked one another which part of El Salvador we were from. As it turns out we are from the same place almost. They might be going down to visit while I am there. 

The interesting part of it all is that, even though we are from the same country…they still did, and had different customs than my family. We did things very similarly, but very differently at the same time. For example, my family plays a game called mafia. And they play a game called loup garou—essentially they are the same game, just a few things changed.

It’s interesting that we share the same big ideas, or concepts about culture…family gatherings, food, games, but we don’t all play or eat the same thing. This is how I have begun to understand how I might phase culture shock in my own country. Stepping into his house was it’s own country. I had to figure out how they did things there, and that is here in Utah…with a family that is from my own country.

While in El Salvador, I will be stepping into a bunch of little worlds. FUNDAMUNI will definitely be one of these places. I really have no idea how things will be here. Even though I have met most of the people I will be working with, I honestly don’t know their lives… how they think, what they value. I really enjoy meeting people. And learning from and about them. 

I am getting more and more exited as the days pass to be able to get to know the people that make up with organization.

Excitement is just one of the feelings I’ve been having… its all of it. Scared is another one of those feelings. Purpose is over coming all of those feelings. Its going down. 

¡Que Rico!

I had been forgetting to mention a huge part of my experience while in El Salvador. We don't really eat the same food as here. Burgers, Pizza, and Hot Dogs are a luxury over there. Pizza Hut and Burger King are the places we go eat if it's you're having your birthday celebration.
Any other time we eat PUPUSAS. Other things we eat include: Atol Chuco, frijoles, crema, queso, carne asada, tamales, elote loco, chiles renenos, dulces tia toya, horchata, and many more. I love these foods, but I haven't had them in a very long time.
Actually this is one of my concerns... there will be nothing else to eat but these foods. We don't even have regular candy, or chocolates. Most are made from dry fruits. It's healthy but sometimes you just miss your Nutella jar. I will probably eat pupusas every single day while I am there. This is how it just to be when I was little. Although delicious, you can get sick of them. Frijoles are another food that you eat every day no matter what. I know I will get sick of it. Eventually I know I will get use to it, or at least wait out the fact that this will be all there is to eat. I want to learn to make pupusas really well. And the curtido that is served with them, which is a kind of salad... I know the general procedure to make them, but to be honest they don't come out the way that they taste in Olocuilta (pupusa central of the world). I think it's really important to keep these recipes alive because I am the one who will pass on these traditions to my children. I don't want my family to lose their traditions after my grandmas passes. Right now she is the only one who knows how to make all of these meals. It is one of my goals to learn to make these foods, that have been around forever!

El Salvador Caliche-Slang 101

file://localhost/Users/adrilovo/Desktop/El%20Salvador%20Slang%20Language%20101%20Course%20for%20Non%20Native%20people%20«%20..Alternate%20Visions%20of%20Twisted%20Realiti….webloc

file://localhost/Users/adrilovo/Desktop/Caliche,%20the%20real%20Spanish.webloc

Just like I explained before about how people in El Salvador use to speak Nawat, now we have created our own words for things. I found these two sites that serve as a dictionary to the words that are only used in El Salvador. Even though I know a few, it was good to "review" this vocab lesson.

Perspective

Yesterday we talked about culture shock. Again I felt like this topic wouldn’t apply to me too much. It does though. As I thought about it more I came to realize that the communities where I will be spending a lot of time do things very differently than how the people in the city do. Bucket showers for example. In the city we take showers, they are cold and horrible but at least they are in a shower and not a well. I remember taking bucket shower in Africa. I didn’t particularly love it.

They also wake up really early in the rural areas. Most of the families literally follow the chicken’s schedules. Very early to sleep very early to rise, which is good. I want to change my schedule, follow D&C 88 more closely.

Today I met with Jay about my proposal. I am getting close to finishing! The more I write about my paper and the more I think about it, the more I am seeing that the water workshop is a kind of a long shot. Or at least this is how I should be writing about it. More realistic. This is hard for me because this is not how I usually go about planning to do something. I plan for it as if it will be 100% doable. And.. IF it doesn’t work out then I might have a little plan for it. I realize this is not how most people plan for things, but I find that  the less I have to fall on the more I make sure that my original plan works.

At the same time, this is not my NGO, these are not my children who I will be reaching. I am a beggar, to put it  dramatic terms. But its true. I am learning and this will be my role—at least for the first trip. Then we’ll see what I can accomplish. I need to make this more clear in my IRB and my proposal.

Pipil language: Nawat

This is the language that my ancestors use to speak. This language is almost dead... I want to learn more of it. My grandma use  to sing me a Nawat lullaby. I can still sing this song.  This website is a lesson based course to learn Nawat.

http://www.computing.dcu.ie/~mward/nawat/L01/html/l01s1a_eng.html

The Panel Discussion

As class began yesterday I thought I might not gain too much from the discussion. I don’t really have questions about my experience. And I don’t think I will have too much culture shock. Since I am from that same country. But I figured listening  wouldn’t hurt.

When the translator issues came up, I couldn’t relate. Or the living arrangement issues.  But then the issue of being homesick, and missing the simple things. For this part I sat up in my seat.

It’s already happening. I am already beginning to feel the stress of my trip and I am not even gone yet. Especially tonight, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the fact that I have heard my friends talk about all of the fun things they will be doing this summer. The places they are going to live, and the parties they are going to go to. While listening, I’ve been thinking of how different my summer is going to be. It’s been a little difficult trying to explain to my friends what it is that I will be doing. Most of them still think its some sort of vacation. They really don’t know all of the planning that has gone into this.

That’s the other thing that worries me, all of the planning… what if things don’t go as planned? I have really taken to heart what we have been told, to keep and make REALISTIC expectations. Plan to succeed, but be prepared to fail and get up. I want to prepare myself emotionally for this. That’s the other thing that came up a lot. The emotional distress of the trip.

I don’t think I realize how different things are going to be… especially when I stay in the poor communities. I remember how things are, but I haven’t lived that way in a while. I will be back into the world of latrines, bucket showers, chickens running while all over the place, and waking up at 4:30 in the morning no matter what. I am underestimating and honestly having a cocky attitude about how prepared I am for my trip. I want to change my attitude. This is not going to help me. the less prepared I feel the more I will eventually prepare. I am going to prepare for success! So far my connection with the NGO is going great. I am writing a letter to the head of the organization to finalize things, and make them formal. I’m nervous but I know I am qualified, I have done many other projects similar to this one.

Still, got to recognize that I don’t know everything… I really don’t. Confidence is  a mixture and a balance of humility and pride/confidence.  Sometimes I find I, but most times I am looking for it.t

The Whole Experience

Last Friday I got some feedback on my proposal that I have not considered before. To be completely frank I didn’t think that my proposal would include this kind of information.

Our facilitator asked me why I had not included more information about what I would be doing on a day to day. Its true I talk a lot about my project but I have not really mentioned the other big factor that influenced me to decide to go to my field study in El Salvador.

As I have stated before I am Salvadoran. I left when I was ten. Two summers ago before leaving to college I decided to go back to El Salvador. I knew that if I didn’t go then I might not get a change to go in a very long time. I wanted to go because I had not met two of my sisters. One of them had been born in the seven years I had been away and the other one was a well kept secret of my fathers.

I remember he had told me about her when I was ten. He took me for a ride on the day I was to say good-bye to him. The next day I was leaving with my mother to America. He took me to a house with a red door. A little girl came out, he pointed at her and told me she was my sister. I never saw her again until two summers ago when I visited. She is 12 now.

I have 3 sisters, Alejandra who is 12. Diana who is 11 and Sara who is 3. There is another baby boy on the way. I am really exited! He is due to be born in the middle of my study! I want to be able to meet my baby brother and spend some time with my sisters. I wan them to know that I have not forgotten about them at all, that I think about them all the time. It was Diana’s dengue fever that got me to be interested in the water problems El Salvador has. If we were more careful about mosquito breeding grounds she may have never been sick. That was one of the worst emails I have ever gotten. She was in a very critical state.

This is the kind of other activities I will be doing while abroad. I didn’t know if I should add this to my proposal… interacting with my sisters. I want to get to know them, I don’t even know their favorite colors! But I will. I had not even though about this as part of my “whole” experience, but my facilitator was right. It is a big deal.

School is where most kids get sick

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Standards for Schools in Low-cost Settings by John Adams, Jaime Bartram, Yves Chartier, and Jackie Sims

This book is a publication by UNICEF and the World Health Organization dealing with the issue of school sanitation. I am very interested in this kind of topics. How can we help prevent simple disease spread that potentially may kill malnourished, impoverished children.

El Salvador Through Art

Last class we visited the Islam Exposition in the Museum of Art here at school. I loved it. I feel like I really got a feel for what that culture values. There are all about story telling--especially through the written word. Everything had writing on it. Calligraphy is art. They have shown the internal beauty found in the Koran through their art. Very religious oriented people.

So, how can art help me understand the culture in El Salvador?

One of the greatest things about living in San Francisco is how cultured those people are. After looking at the Islam art, I remembered I went to see the Mission murals in the city. I was very surprised to find that a vast majority of the murals on that street are about El Salvador--and the civil war struggle. Here are some of the images.

Fleeing mother with her infant. In the background you can see the volcanoes--major land marks of El Salvador.

Monseñor Romero. Religious leader, adored by the people. Supporter of the people. Murdered for the cause.

El Escuadron de la Muerte. The group that took you out of bed at night. Tore your body apart--never to be found. This is the eye that caught the monster. 

Iconic Salvadoran art. The child is free, and our future is bright.

La Virgen Guadalupe. Most Salvadorans follow the Catholic religion (though we have an LDS temple there now!)

Inspiring Stories

How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas by David Bornstein. I This book is the next step beyond the idea/or desire to do some social change. This tells the stories of individuals who are and have made a change. It discusses what business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social entrepreneurs are to social change. They are, writes David Bornstein, the driven, creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up--and remake the world for the better. 

Technology?

Social media is amazing. I have been able to plan and set up skype meetings with the people that I will be collaborating with. I have even been able to get a hold of the other kids that were taught by this organization as well. It is crazy to think that I haven’t talked to them in about 13 years, and now all of the sudden we can communicate. “We were only kids then,” Caren said to me over Facebook. I am going to have the opportunity to see them again!

I’ve been thinking a lot about culture and communication. And how much, and quickly things are changing. We have been learning in class a lot about symbols and gestures. How they are interpreted very differently across regions and cultures. I agree. I have to flip a switch whenever I am talking in Spanish or English. It is not that simple to do. The language yes, but the mannerisms and even the humor is completely different. When you learn a new language and live in a new country, it is not only about knowing the translation of the word, but also knowing what it means.

So now that Facebook exists, will this mean we are kind of creating a new language? A new way to communicate with others in the say way? People in El Salvador know what a “pared” is, you wall. They know how to chat with people, granted it is in Spanish, but still. It is interesting to see how even within the standard chat, there are different abbreviations for things.  In Spanish they are very different than English. They don’t know what lol means. So, does this mean that even through this generic medium, different cultures are still being developed?

Since it is a fairly new thing, there is not much information about it. By this I mean research and stuff. But we can observe it. I bet I will learn their own abbreviations of things in Spanish while I am down there. It’s a whole language. In the future this will be how we reach out to people.  In fact we already do. FUNDAMUNI has a profile on Facebook. I already liked it. Through the internet they are posting information about their events. The youth as well as the sponsors can be updated and informed this way.  I wonder how much technology I will find in the rural area of Chalatenango. I am guessing maybe a cibercafe…but to be honest I’m not sure what to expect. Maybe I am underestimating the access or innovations this little town may have.

Social Change

Development and Social Change by Phillip McMichael.

This book is helping me see that if I want to make change in a community it will have to be more than just a structure change. In order for change to last, there needs to be a social change. One of the most pressing changes that needs to happen now, I believe, is women's equality across the globe. In my health classes we have seen how much women's empowerment benefits societies in multiple ways.

Women, family, and work.

http://genero.ues.edu.sv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104:mujeres-familia-y-trabajo&catid=43:derechos-humanos-de-las-mujeres&Itemid=70

This is a study about women and their current role in the family. I was curious to see how Salvadorans are seeing women's roles. It turns out that although El Salvador is a very small country (the smallest in Central America) it very much depends on what region of the country you are. I guess it is kind of expected that the women in the cities will have a more independent view of life. They will get an education and support their children by obtaining a job. The women where I will be going have a more conservative view on the woman's role. These women are homemakers, and from very smalls towns.

The IRB

As I’ve been talking with my faculty mentor, I have realized that there is a lot I can do to make the most of my project. Dr. Cole has been really supportive and enthusiastic about my water quality efforts.

Not that my fellow students don’t care, but it is hard to show excitement about something you may not be so passionate about. I know I feel this way about some of my classmates’ projects. And its okay that is why the world goes around because of our diversity. If not we would all want to be kings and sit and be lazy. But some of us like to cook, others teach, and even if we may not love it others dedicate themselves to the custodial arts.

Anyways, I am very exited for how things are going. Dr. Cole is preparing some readings for me to do while I am abroad. I will really appreciate insight while I am there. Dr. Cole is doing a similar project with some students in Thailand this summer. It could not have been a better match.

While I am gone I want to go to La Universidad Nacional ( the national college of San Salvador) and try to find someone who is researching or has researched water quality. It’s kind of hard to find the most currents information or stories online. Another thing I’ve been thinking about is going to the environmental office or something like that there. I’m sure we must have some place that makes sure El Salvador has good water.

Last class we went over our IRB. I’m scared, or I was scared about it. but I think that is looking much better too. I was confused about making it sound like an internship rather than a study… and explaining the whole water quality part of it. its funny how much my ideas have changed throughout the hole process of applying and writing the proposal. I think nutrition is calling my attention next. I would like to see what the situation is about this issue while down there. I mentioned it to Dr. Cole and he told me he would get me in contact with this one grad student who apparently had the same idea, that communities should be educated about home gardens. I wonder if there would be major things preventing this from happening, and if there are obstacles how to go about over coming them. But now though I think I should focus on what I have planned so far.

The meetings and peer edits we have been having have been very helpful to me. I really needed others perspectives. Sometimes it makes sense to us because we have seen it and heard it too many times. A fresh pair of hears though can make all the difference.

IRB-making me think about my project.

In a weird way the IRB process has helped me think deeply about what my project is really about and what  I want to accomplish.
There are two big aspects about my trip that I wanted to accomplish. I want to study FUNDAMUNI and initiate a water quality workshop. I was not very sure which of these was the actual reason of nature of my study. I talked it out with Jay... the water quality workshop is not really a study at all. After the conversation we had, we concluded that the workshop is not the "study" aspect of my study. It is very interchangeable. I even thought about a new idea that I would like to try out soon.
I was thinking about the possibility of creating a community garden. We have the problem in El Salvador that we are not very creative with our food choices. We have been stuck with corn forever now. Nutrition is limited when all you are growing is one crop. I am not saying that the whole country needs to change their agricultural products. But families can start planting more lettuce or vegetables in general. It is about introducing the idea and benefits of this. Also thinking about how to get seeds, etc. But this project will have to be at another time.
 Juts the fact that the workshop part of my project could potentially be changed so easily helped me realize  that the prominent or actual "project" is to learn how to carry out a workshop. I want to learn how this organization is doing these workshops on an everyday level.
Some of the questions that I have been thinking about are:

Where are they finding the people?
What workshops are relevant to this community?
How do they present the information to them
What materials, or learning props do they use?

Besides these questions, I've also realized or have thought to finally apply all that we have been learning in past classes. I want to take into consideration the community's value system. How much do they value water quality? Good nutrition?
They may see the effects of having hazardous water and poor nutrition, but this does not mean that it is on their priority list. (Even though it should) How does FUNDAMUNI go about strategizing workshops that will first educate the people about action-consequence scenarios? If you don't understand what you have... it's much easier to miss its importance once it's gone.

I feel a lot better about my IRB application. My study is much clearer. I was scared that the word "children" would make my application difficult. It is all about really explaining that the workshop is but a small part of what I will be doing. I am not studying the children or anything like that. I will be observing their reaction to the workshop... that should not be too scary for the IRB. I was a little worried because I didn't want to make it seem like it was a big deal. Jay and I discussed that I will be interning... more than study something (intern is a much "safer" word to use). What I will study will be how it works.

Icebreakers

http://insight.typepad.co.uk/40_icebreakers_for_small_groups.pdf

I am not an expert with groups. Even though my research is not directly about the children... I still want them to like my workshop! I think starting with some sort of icebreaker can help me create at atmosphere where the kids can feel free to let me know what they think about the activity. I liked this source it reads like a study. And it explains some of the psychological advantages of the activities.

In the long run....

So I've been thinking. How is my project going to matter in the long run. I have an idea or... a dream of what I hope will happen after I introduce my project to the communities. Hopefully the people will take the project.. perhaps make changes make it more efficient to their needs but ultimately continue it. It would be amazing if it became part of the science classes of (El Salvador) the communities.
What I would want is that it became like cow eye or frog dissections here in the US. Schools just do it. That would be awesome, I think it would be a great way to create awareness about safe water, and what we can do to keep it healthy.
Today in my religion class, we talked about how the person who gave his 5 loafs of bread must have felt like. I commented that if it was me in that situation I would have seriously pondered how that little bread would feed ten thousand people. What is the point of giving that little bit if it's not going to help out but a hand full. And then the miracle happened.
I am not saying that my project will be a miracle. But I do need to be more humble in trusting the Lord. Of small and simple things right? With the organization I am working with, I will be an intern or a volunteer... I am not the star of the show at all. But I can contribute, in small ways I can make a difference.
I think mentally things are coming more into perspective for me. I am realistically setting goals for my project, I am aware that this is a learning experience for me, but that at the same time I can start something big here. Field notes are really going to be important for me. I really have to work on being very observant, usually I am the distracted type. But I don't want to miss anything. One day I will run my own project. If I don't learn how they (programs) work I will waste tons of time trying to re-invent the wheel. I get overwhelmed because there is so much to do. I even let my mind go as far as to think that water quality is not even that important...that I should look for the very root of all problems. This is were I need to stay focused, and know that I cant go attacking all problems all at once. Baby steps get you to your final destination. Again, I'm not exactly sure how or what that is... I do know it will involve the betterment of people's life (somehow). So much to decide all of the sudden as we grow from children to adults. If we don't remain calm and take a breath every once in a while...we might just lose our heads trying to figure out the "rest of our lives". Day to day. Day to day.

Source Document

A couple of weeks we were talking about how much culture and perspective matters. I've been reading this book that discusses this same exact issue. The author, Lawrence E. Harrison emphasizes that it is value that shapes human progress.

Lawrence E. Harrison
Culture Matters

Things don't just happen.

It was really interesting that in class we talked about the same things that I had written about just a few hours before class. Last post I wrote about decision making, which choices I would be confronted with while in El Salvador. Most of my ideas had to do with my safety. For example choosing to sit in the back of a pick up truck will probably not keep me very safe.
In class Sarah brought up the example of choosing whether or not if was safe to intervene in a domestic fight. Some of the people in class argued that it was, others thought that it was not the place or time--and the culture was different.
When I wrote about choosing I didn't necessarily think about these kinds of scenarios but I'm sure I will see some of this. What shocked me most about our conversation in class and my previous post was that own of the girls brought up that if we decide before we are presented with the choice it will be a lot easier. This is exactly what I had written that same day. I guess we all have been very tentative to what church leaders have been telling us for the past couple of years. If we decide we will not break the word of wisdom it will be that much easier to say no to drugs or alcohol when it is in front of us.
So, I should decide now if I am or will intervene in certain situations. The best advice from class was--follow the prompting of the Spirit. This is what I can trust will work every time. I want to take precautions and make choices that will keep me safe, but I also don't want to be a Pharisee or a Priest I want to be a good Samaritan and help those in need.
Its a complicated issue. And I need to see how far I am willing to go to do the right thing... till the ends of the earth I hope. At the same  time if something happens to me I won't be able to be that good Samaritan... I might just end up being the one who needs help.

Satellites!

http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/kids/watermonitoring/measuring.html

This is another web site that talks about measuring water quality. It says in here that besides using instruments, scientists also sample local wild life...but more exiting than that is that they take satellite pictures!

It would be really cool if I could try to find some of these pics before I go and bring them to show the children..

Today is Leap Day

I had no idea that conducting a study with live subjects would be such a complicated process. I understand that precautions are necessary and that even if we are gong down there to do good we can still accidentally do harm.
What really helped to put things into perspective was Ashley's example of the Indian laws. You have to have all these permits, and jump through hoops to go study the people in the reservations. But if they don't take these measures we would not have or be able to preserve that culture. It is the same for the places where we will be going.
Another thing that I've been thinking a lot about lately is decision making. When I was little I remember telling my mother that I hated making decisions, that I didn't want to decide anymore. I think this came about because I had to chose who I would stay with when my parents divorced. It wasn't really a question that I would stay with my mother... but still I had to voice this "decision". To the day I have to make decisions every day. Most of the time they are easy, and the church helps me decide what will be best for me.
The reason why I bring it up, is because while in El Salvador I will me forced to make decision that I am not use to making here. For example, riding in the back of pickup truck or eating mango prepared on the street. What decisions will I make that can keep me safe while down there. If I ride in the back of trucks I will be putting myself in danger, even though in some areas this is the only public transportation. And eating things prepared on the street-- I had an uncle who had to be flown to America after eating some street food. He was very ill and nearly died. I grew up with these foods, but I have to take into consideration that it has been years since I don't intake those foods. I want to do what the church recommends. Make the decision now, so that when you are presented with the choice you will have already chosen. I think this is a good way to go about it. Maybe trying to find a ride that does not endanger my life will be worth the wait, and maybe waiting to prepare my mangos at home will keep me healthier.
These are just some of the examples of choices that I will need to plan for. Things that we don't even think about here. Even finding a place to sleep that has a ventilator or a mosquito net is essential. It would be very bad if I got dengue while trying to help the dengue cause...

What to expect

Even though I will try to prepare and expect the unexpected, this site gave a bit more insight of what to expect while in El Salvador.
This is where the American Embassy is located... just in case.
Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur,
Urbanizacion Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan,
La Libertad


http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1109.html

Change of plans?

So, I've been trying to figure out what I want with my future... like always. And I really like food. Not just to eat, but to study. To help teach which foods and recipes are better for our health. In the Inquiry Conference I got the opportunity to hear about two projects that dealt with food. One girl went to Germany. Her presentation really impacted me. I had never thought about how much the food changed with the fall of the Berlin wall. What a great project. I thought it was very interesting. Food was rationed, and the people only ate local food that was in season--so they were actually healthier than the other side. Interesting. So do we have too many choices now? I think so. Though diversity and competition between suppliers in good. Anyway, I won't go down that road at this time.

I am exited though because the woman who will be my mentor in El Salvador is the nutritionist for the organization I will be working with. She is also the nutritionist for the national soccer team (I'm exited about that too).
I have been really torn lately between water quality or nutrition... And then it occurred to me that I can do both! Not both on this same trip. But next one. Once I'm prepared. It can be another workshop, like the water one. Also I think I would like to minor in something having to do with food. It's so important. We eat 3 times a day! and for the people who don't--something needs to be done!

Food!
Science is food. Maybe not in the traditional sense of the chemistry set idea... but it is! I have always wanted to do something with food, and at the Inquiry Conference I saw that others had done it. So can I. And I believe I have met the right person to help me out. Nancy already runs nutrition programs, she knows the people and the methods! What a great opportunity.

More books!

This is another good book I've been reading. I have to admit I agree more with the ideas of the Easterly book. but this one also has some helpful insight.

The Reality of Changing the World

Today I had a very helpful meeting with Malcolm. I was able to express a lot of my fears and hopes about my project. He also had a lot of advice to share.

I feel more at ease with my project expectations. I told him that I have noticed how the rest of my classmates seem to be doing very specific research projects, as opposed to trying to go “save the world” as least not right away. It seems to me that most of my peers understand that we really need work on our selves before we go off to try to help other people. I am taking this into consideration as I plan for my project. I have to plan but realize that things will most likely not go as I have planned.

I want this first trip to really set the ground for the rest of my trips. Malcolm also told me that we should not bring anything on our trips. Some people had wanted to take soccer balls, or clothes. I wanted to bring some equipment to measure the water quality. Though, I had already thought about getting some supplies there. So it is a sustainable project. What I am trying to determine now is whether I should try to find the equipment in the capital or see if there are any stores in the more rural areas that might have what I need. I want the school it self to be able to carry out the project with students if they want to. That’s another question that I need to answer. Will FUNDAMUNI be the organization to lounge the water workshop? Or will the local school be able or interested to do it? I don’t expect the school to want to teach this workshop in their social studies classes (just yet) it will be a gradual process. It will start with FUNDAMUNI but I need to get the children some somewhere…

I want to make a huge difference, I know I can, but those big changes are made through small changes. 

Throwing money at is is not the solution!

Wiliam Easterly's "The White Man's Burden" is that great book that has helped me identify the fact that money is not the answer. There are a lot of other things that we need to keep in mind when trying to help underserved communities. We need to keep in mind that we are not better people, or superior beings to them. I am not a better person or a superior person to my peer in El Salvador. I am were I am because I have had more opportunities than others, I know I'm not smarter or better. Just simply had more doors to walk through.