Summer 2016
June 22 – July 3, 2016
by Lola Skolnik and Peggy Goetz

Going to El Rodeo involves a bit of time travel. San Salvador, our entry point, is a large city dominated by modern day problems such as air and noise pollution, violence and urban poverty. But as we leave the city behind we move through a landscape of incredible green outlined by looming volcanos and mountains receding to the horizon. Towns become smaller, less noisy and the air cleaner. By the time we reach El Rodeo, we have traveled back to a time where men and women walk to their fields carrying their holstered machetes, shaded from the sun by their peaked hats, as they have done for hundreds of years. That is not to say that the modern world does not reach our sister community, but that in many ways, the days of the residents of El Rodeo resemble those of their antecedents. Lives are dominated by the weather, the agricultural cycles of sowing, growing and harvesting life-sustaining crops by hand, carrying water, cooking on wood fires, raising families and participating in community. The past may appear to be present, but the future is our focus.

The arrival of the WES delegation marks a change from the typical routines and begins a concentrated week of activities that support the community in its quest for a better future. With advance planning by the ADESCO (town council) and community involvement, we were able to accomplish an impressive list of activities.

A centerpiece to every delegation is dentist Susan Runner’s annual clinic. Word traveled quickly and Susan and her assistants were constantly busy. Susan said that she can clearly see the impact of her yearly dental clinics, particularly in the improved health of the children’s teeth.

Thanks to generous donations of reading glasses, sunglasses and cases from WES members, Lola Skolnik and her team were able to match 44 community members with 52 pairs of glasses and cases. The glasses were soon put to use for reading and sewing.
Ross Wells and David Keely collaborated with the men in the community to resurface the uneven floor and stone benches of the newly built kiosk. The kiosk provides a small sheltered, centrally-located space that has quickly become a meeting spot for young and old.

The Little Library project spearheaded by Pam Williams and supported with many book donations by WES members has been a great success. Stocked with books in Spanish, thebibliotequita provides reading materials for many age groups. There are weekly story times when children can also check out books. Maia Pramuk led an exterior upgrade to the library cabinet, which is now decorated with multicolored children’s handprints.
Another ongoing project is trail improvement on the erosion-prone community pathways. In collaboration with El Rodeo’s Environmental Committee (a group composed mostly of children), Kye Keely, Russell Corbin, Caroline Russell and Maia helped remove loose rocks, dig deeper steps and form rock steps into the steeper parts of the main trails.
At the ADESCO’s request, materials for a peace pole were purchased and many hands contributed to painting “peace” in 18 languages. The pole will be installed next to the kiosk as a beacon of hope for the future.
While the water project has yet to break ground, actions such as, coordinating the project’s funding sources, purchasing the spring and surrounding land, and finalizing the construction plans are all in motion. With the help of ADESCO members, we were able to place signs at the future sites of the solar operated water pump, and the water distribution tank, as well as at the existing spring.
Our amazing WES teens Kye and Maia organized and led afternoon games and art activities with the children focused on improving self-esteem. Russell Corbin’s excellent Spanish skills were extensively utilized for translation during community meetings, activities, home visits and conversations.
Lastly, the community requested a field trip to San Salvador to visit sights important to their history: the church where Archbishop Romero was assassinated in 1980, the tomb of Romero and the Wall of Remembrance (listing the names of 30,000 murdered citizens during the country’s civil war 1980 -92). A full bus of community members and WES delegates left El Rodeo at 6:00 am for a memorable and emotional day. Parents and grandparents shared their memories with youngsters. Former combatants found names of lost friends and family. Tears were shed and perhaps some healing occurred. Many delegates felt that accompanying community members on this journey of remembrance and reverence was one of the most meaningful activities of the delegation. Many friendships developed and deepened during this time.
It is these relationships that carry us into the future. The people of El Rodeo know that we are with them, that we will show up to support them and that their dreams are our dreams. They tell us they feel valued, loved, honored, respected. We are in it together, committed. Walking side by side, shoulder to shoulder, learning together what it means to be fully human.
This year’s delegation included: Russell Corbin, Emily Glazer, Peggy Goetz, David Keely, Kye Keely, Maia Pramuk, Susan Runner, Caroline Russell, Lola Skolnik, Karen Storms, Ross Wells, Pam Williams.