An article from Global Connections Member Susan Runner:

This year WES/Global Connections took an unexpected second trip to our sister community El Rodeo. We learned in the Fall that construction activities for our long-awaited water project had begun. We were all very excited and wished to show our support to this community that has waited so long for some progress.

Although not everyone could not find time in busy work schedules to travel, Ross Wells, Heather Vincent, and I made the trip in November.  The first impression of El Salvador when we arrived was how beautiful the weather was.  We usually are there in June/July, the rainy season with daily showers and hot, humid temperatures. This time we were pleasantly surprised by dry weather, low temperatures, and blue skies. I even have to admit to being a little chilly at night- unheard of on previous trips!

We spent the first night in San Salvador at the home our dear friend and expert in-country expert, Christina Starr. The next morning, we bought provisions to take to the village for our meals and we were off.  

When we arrived we were surprised to see the progress on clearing and widening the main paths in El Rodeo. This will allow the large trucks and land movers to approach the higher elevations more easily.  We went to see the spring that our WES community purchased through many fundraisers and then saw the sites for the water tank and the solar panels. 

 

Global Connections has partnered with ADES and CoCoDa, two local NGO’s with experience in establishing relationships with communities and spearheading water projects.  CoCoDa was instrumental in helping us get the phase 1 part of the project funded and on track. We visited the ADES offices and were able to see the architectural drawings of the planned project.  It now seems so real!!!

The water will be piped from the spring that WES purchased for the community, to a lower holding tank.  From there via solar-derived energy, it will be pumped to an upper distribution tank, purified and delivered to each house via a gravity-based system. 

The community is already organized into teams of six people working in shifts to clear and flatten the rocky landscape; each family in El Rodeo is represented in the work crews.

We were able to buy additional tools for the community including stakes and sledgehammers, eye protection, and masks.  I was amazed to see Maria lugging three pick axes on her shoulder up the steep hill to the site.

This trip makes us all so grateful for a community such as ours that supported us over the years to make this come true.

We are also happy to report that a group of women from the community submitted a letter to Salvadorian Enterprises for Women (SEW) requesting to participate in its “Economic and Social Justice for Women through Small Business Development” project.  In partnership with the Center for Exchange and Solidarity (CIS) in San Salvador, SEW works with groups of Salvadorian

Women to:

1. Identify and assess opportunities to create a business
2. Develop a business plan and budget to be considered for funding from SEW
3. Offer trainings and mentoring on business and personal development, including marketing, product safety, self-esteem, and women’s legal rights

We look forward to sharing more updates with you in the new year and as the community projects progress!