Hey guys,
It´s been a crazy week thus far. As Katy said, the community of Las Marias is keeping us really busy. In terms of the coffee project, lately it has consisted of scaling the side of a mountain picking coffee berries-- often using the branches of the trees to hoist ourselves up the mountain. We are at the tail end of their coffee season so we are mainly just picking berries so bugs don´t infest the plant. This experience as well as our tours of the coffee plant have helped us to fully grasp the true price of coffee to the producers. It has coincidentally also helped us to appreciate our amazing coffee every morning so much more.
In terms of the medical project, yesterday we had our first full day medical brigade -- starting at 8am and ending around 6:30pm. The experience was equally as earth shattering as the coffee group due to some of the hard public health lessons we learned as a group. We encountered a baby with severe hydrocephilis, a swelling of the skull due to an overload of spinal fluid, one of the first severe cases we encountered that we could really do nothing to help. In the US, the baby would undergo surgery and be given a shunt. But here, a doctor hasn´t come for the past three months due to the community´s inability to pay, and therefore the baby is expected to live until the mere age of 3. Another tough case was the son of one of the community cooks who has muscular distrophy. These kind of cases make us question if we are actually making a positive impact here with our medical efforts. For me, this positive impact was reasserted in the eyes of the children who received stuffed animals and stamps after their visit; the appreciative gestures of the elderly who received ibuprofen and calcium supplements to help their bone aches. Although these treatments are somewhat temporary, we are also trying to provide some more permanent treatments. As soon as a patient enters the clinic, they are given anti-parasite medication (a one time treatment) due to Dr. Walt´s estimate that nearly 80 percent of the community has parasites. On top of that, we offer diarrhea, general pain, and back pain seminars on prevention techniques. We hope that this helps the community. For now, I thrive on the look in the children´s faces upon receiving Hannah Montana band aids.
That was our only medical brigade in Las Marias. Tomorrow we head to a community down the road, and Thursday we are going out of town. These three brigades allow us to participate in the other two projects (as well as the poetry project once it begins) due to the fact that they don´t take up all of our time, which has been really nice.
In terms of the technology project, today we painted the internet cafe room a beautiful shade of yellow. It really brightens up the atmosphere which helps us to imagine the final product. Tomorrow we will hopefully get electricity as well as some chairs so we can start setting up computers by Wednesday or so.
Overall, this experience has been life changing thus far. All of us are continually given the opportunity to hear the incredible war accounts of our host families which makes the recent civil war so much more real. Tonight we were given the pleasure of listening to songs sung during the war to brighten the spirits of the guerrilla members. It´s amazing to think that it´s only day 7 and yet the trip has been so life changing already.
Hope all is well in the US. We miss all of you dearly.
Best,
Kate
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
First day on the job
Dearest Gringos,
Today was our first day of projects at the cooperative community center. We were divided into three groups: medical, technology and coffee. The medical team had their hands full with about 85 people with problems ranging from back pain to scabies. Props to Doctor Walt for seeing so many patients! Everyone on the medical team was exhausted and many even claim they are having a hard time thinking and speaking in English from the many hours of Spanish! The technology team had a fairly light day. Because they have now become the technology/construction team, they spent time putting together desks and sweeping out the space for the internet cafe. The coffee team had an extremely interesting, but stinky day. They learned how to fully use all of their resources here on the cooperative--more specifically, how to make fresh, organic fertilizer!! They returned to lunch smelling like roses...
In the afternoon the medical continued with their efforts, while the rest of us had the chance to hike 45 minutes up the mountain side to the community soccer field, where since it is Sunday a tournament was being played. Our specific community took first place and Matt Brown got to play!!!
We love and miss you all! Keep tuning in.
Katy
Today was our first day of projects at the cooperative community center. We were divided into three groups: medical, technology and coffee. The medical team had their hands full with about 85 people with problems ranging from back pain to scabies. Props to Doctor Walt for seeing so many patients! Everyone on the medical team was exhausted and many even claim they are having a hard time thinking and speaking in English from the many hours of Spanish! The technology team had a fairly light day. Because they have now become the technology/construction team, they spent time putting together desks and sweeping out the space for the internet cafe. The coffee team had an extremely interesting, but stinky day. They learned how to fully use all of their resources here on the cooperative--more specifically, how to make fresh, organic fertilizer!! They returned to lunch smelling like roses...
In the afternoon the medical continued with their efforts, while the rest of us had the chance to hike 45 minutes up the mountain side to the community soccer field, where since it is Sunday a tournament was being played. Our specific community took first place and Matt Brown got to play!!!
We love and miss you all! Keep tuning in.
Katy
Saturday, January 9, 2010
We made it!
Parents of future coffee growers,
We arrived in Las Marias yesterday afternoon, after being in San Salvador (the capital) for three days. While in San Salvador we did a lot of touring, and heard from many speakers concerning the Civil War and current political situation. All of these talks have been very moving--especially one we heard from our hotel owner, Damian, who participated as a combatant for the FMLN, and lived for many years on the side of Mount Tigre. We also had the chance to visit a few cathedrals. One of them held Arch Bishop Romero´s body, and another where he lived and was assassinated. In between talks and touring, we have also had time to do a little shopping. We spent some time in the central market with hand-made trinkets galore.
The ride to Las Marias was about two hours. Most of us slept because our last night in San Salvador was spent at Ivan"s favorite bar and jazz club. Professor Puga even got on stage and performed with his harmonica! Those of us who did not sleep, spent our time enjoying the gorgeous scenery that surrounded us. We slowly made our way through the mountains of green, colorful houses, and waves of people on the street.
Since arriving to Las Marias, we have had three meals- all in the community center where we will be conducting the tech and med projects. The food has been delicious and healthy- lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with the consistent corn tortilla with every meal. The coffee however has been the best part!!! I do not think any of us can say we have ever had better coffee. Even myself, who prefers tea the majority of the time, has already had three glasses today- it is that GOOD!
Yesterday we also met our host families. They have been so hospitable and gracious to have us. Everyone has a bed and comfortable place to sleep at night. The showering and bathroom situations are very interesting- probably a story and explanation best suited for after the trip. Let"s just say that we"re using lots of buckets and ash for composting!
Today was very interesting. Since we do not start our other projects until tomorrow, we learned how to harvest and process coffee. Over half of the group was sent out into the coffee fields (which really are just coffee trees spread along the mountain-side) to pick coffee "cherries" they call them. To get to the mountain we rode in the back of a pick up truck or hiked- so hot and sweaty! We picked for about three hours, then had to haul the bags of coffee up the mountain! It sparked a lot of interest in conversation, because none of us can imagine doing this all day, monday through saturday! On top of that, they only get paid 1$ per 25lbs...so little, for SO MUCH WORK.
That is all for today. We should have (more) internet and access to computers starting Monday, depending on whether or not the newly needed construction team finishes painting and electricity.
We love and miss you all. Keep us, but especially these families that are here in your thoughts.
ps. we all keep finding dirt in places on our body we never knew we had...fingernails are the worst!
Katy
We arrived in Las Marias yesterday afternoon, after being in San Salvador (the capital) for three days. While in San Salvador we did a lot of touring, and heard from many speakers concerning the Civil War and current political situation. All of these talks have been very moving--especially one we heard from our hotel owner, Damian, who participated as a combatant for the FMLN, and lived for many years on the side of Mount Tigre. We also had the chance to visit a few cathedrals. One of them held Arch Bishop Romero´s body, and another where he lived and was assassinated. In between talks and touring, we have also had time to do a little shopping. We spent some time in the central market with hand-made trinkets galore.
The ride to Las Marias was about two hours. Most of us slept because our last night in San Salvador was spent at Ivan"s favorite bar and jazz club. Professor Puga even got on stage and performed with his harmonica! Those of us who did not sleep, spent our time enjoying the gorgeous scenery that surrounded us. We slowly made our way through the mountains of green, colorful houses, and waves of people on the street.
Since arriving to Las Marias, we have had three meals- all in the community center where we will be conducting the tech and med projects. The food has been delicious and healthy- lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with the consistent corn tortilla with every meal. The coffee however has been the best part!!! I do not think any of us can say we have ever had better coffee. Even myself, who prefers tea the majority of the time, has already had three glasses today- it is that GOOD!
Yesterday we also met our host families. They have been so hospitable and gracious to have us. Everyone has a bed and comfortable place to sleep at night. The showering and bathroom situations are very interesting- probably a story and explanation best suited for after the trip. Let"s just say that we"re using lots of buckets and ash for composting!
Today was very interesting. Since we do not start our other projects until tomorrow, we learned how to harvest and process coffee. Over half of the group was sent out into the coffee fields (which really are just coffee trees spread along the mountain-side) to pick coffee "cherries" they call them. To get to the mountain we rode in the back of a pick up truck or hiked- so hot and sweaty! We picked for about three hours, then had to haul the bags of coffee up the mountain! It sparked a lot of interest in conversation, because none of us can imagine doing this all day, monday through saturday! On top of that, they only get paid 1$ per 25lbs...so little, for SO MUCH WORK.
That is all for today. We should have (more) internet and access to computers starting Monday, depending on whether or not the newly needed construction team finishes painting and electricity.
We love and miss you all. Keep us, but especially these families that are here in your thoughts.
ps. we all keep finding dirt in places on our body we never knew we had...fingernails are the worst!
Katy
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Safe Arrival in El Salvador
Dear family and friends of the El Salvador Team,
We have just received word that the students and faculty traveling to El Salvador with DePauw's Winter Term in Service program arrived safely.
As we receive additional updates from the group, we will pass along that information. Please note that we do not expect to hear from the group often. I know that this is difficult because we are so used to being in constant contact via cell phones, texting, and emailing, but due to the location and nature of WTIS projects, groups do not always have access to the technology we regularly enjoy here at home.
I do encourage you to regularly check the team's blog: http://wtis2010elsalvador.blogspot.com/. Team leaders will be posting updates throughout the duration of the trip as access permits.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the WTIS office.
Thank you,
Jessie Weasner
Thank you,
Jessie Weasner
Assistant Director of the Hartman House
Monday, September 28, 2009
Welcome to the WTIS El Salvador Blog!
Welcome to the WTIS El Salvador Blog!
My name is Molly Heitzman and I'm the Project Intern, one of five student leaders for our trip to El Salvador this Winter Term. Once on site, we will be working with the organization CoCoDa, which encourages cultural exchange through service. Our project will take place at a coffee cooperative and will be composed of two parts. The first component is the technology one, where in partnership with CTEP, a DePauw organization that is donating refurbished computers to our project, we will help set up an internet cafe. Once the computers are installed we will host computer seminars from basic Microsoft Office functions to how to use the Internet. The second component of our project is the medical aspect. We will bring two physicians from the U.S. to El Salvador with us in order to host medical brigades. We'll be handing out vitamins and medicine that is hard to come by in this area of the world. Additionally, we will teach several public health seminars in order to promote preventative treatment as well. Finally, because we will be living with people who produce coffee, we will also help with the January harvest, while learning about the politics of coffee. Another important aspect of our trip is learning about the politics of El Salvador, a country which seventeen years ago ended a long civil war. We will explore the history of this conflict, as well as the United States's role in this political event.
This blog is for anyone who wants to stay informed before, after and during our trip to El Salvador. We will post useful information for pre-departure. Once on site, each team member will make a post on the blog to inform you of the status of our project. It's a great way to stay connected to the group once we're there!
Parents, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at molly.heitzman@gmail.com or our Reflections Intern, Caroline Baker, at carolinebaker_2010@depauw.edu. Thanks to all of the parents who came to our informational meeting this past weekend. Caroline and I are very excited about this trip and working with our awesome team members!
Molly
My name is Molly Heitzman and I'm the Project Intern, one of five student leaders for our trip to El Salvador this Winter Term. Once on site, we will be working with the organization CoCoDa, which encourages cultural exchange through service. Our project will take place at a coffee cooperative and will be composed of two parts. The first component is the technology one, where in partnership with CTEP, a DePauw organization that is donating refurbished computers to our project, we will help set up an internet cafe. Once the computers are installed we will host computer seminars from basic Microsoft Office functions to how to use the Internet. The second component of our project is the medical aspect. We will bring two physicians from the U.S. to El Salvador with us in order to host medical brigades. We'll be handing out vitamins and medicine that is hard to come by in this area of the world. Additionally, we will teach several public health seminars in order to promote preventative treatment as well. Finally, because we will be living with people who produce coffee, we will also help with the January harvest, while learning about the politics of coffee. Another important aspect of our trip is learning about the politics of El Salvador, a country which seventeen years ago ended a long civil war. We will explore the history of this conflict, as well as the United States's role in this political event.
This blog is for anyone who wants to stay informed before, after and during our trip to El Salvador. We will post useful information for pre-departure. Once on site, each team member will make a post on the blog to inform you of the status of our project. It's a great way to stay connected to the group once we're there!
Parents, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at molly.heitzman@gmail.com or our Reflections Intern, Caroline Baker, at carolinebaker_2010@depauw.edu. Thanks to all of the parents who came to our informational meeting this past weekend. Caroline and I are very excited about this trip and working with our awesome team members!
Molly
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