Day 2 Getsamani

When I was a kid I use to go to a place in the summer called Camp Eagle Rock. I have many memories from there, but one has always entered my mind the most. At a group talk, with all age groups present, I was called to the front. Being abnormally large for my age, I was an easy target. One of the camp counselors handed me a stick and said, “Dustin, break this stick.” I broke it without a sweat. Then he handed me a whole bundle of sticks and instructed me to break them as well. I tried as hard as I could, but I couldn't. That day I learned one of the most important lessons of my life. That when we stick together and work as a team, we become much stronger.

This story popped in my head today while learning about Habitat El Salvador's economic sustainability operation for the Getsamani Project. The Getsamani Project has some similar aspects to the Santa de Maria project. These similar aspects include providing housing solutions, financial education, leadership and community building skills and economic development. These are all very important aspects of what Habitat El Salvador does. They're not just building a community and saying good luck and goodbye once they've built it. There actually making sure that the community and homeowners are successful.

Marina Hercules, the former President of the Habitat El Salvador Board of Directors and current Project Manager for the Los Buenos community was telling me about the Getsamani co-operative, a business operation run and owned by the inhabitants of Getsamani. These micro-entrepreneurs have banded together with help and guidance from Habitat El Salvador. Instead of making and selling goods by themselves, they are working as a team and sharing the profits. They're organized and very excited about the growth they've seen. They started with a micro loan of $600 and have already been able to save $750. Their goal is to continue to grow the co-operative and reach new markets.

I also had the opportunity to visit their place of operation and view some of the merchandise they were selling. I was very impressed with what I saw and even purchased a few bags for my mother and sister. I could see the joy on the faces of the people who worked there. I'm not sure if the products I bought were made by them or by someone else in the co-operative who wasn't there, but I could tell they were excited and pleased.

This co-operative excited me, cause in America, this business model is gaining popularity as well, especially among organic farmers and even in manufacturing. I like the concept of the owners being the people who actually are engaged in the operations.

I also got to talk with Tania Meza, the Project Manager for the Getsamani Project. She told me about their education situation and initiatives. She talked about how Habitat's involvement had really helped improve the education situation in Getsamani. That kids nowadays are more interested in getting educated and learning English. She also talked about how next year they're going to try to add a computer center. This will give kids access to websites like Khan Academy, a free online education resource with thousands of videos on math, science and art.  

Tomorrow I leave for Santa de Maria, which is why I've come to El Salvador. For those who haven't read my very first post, El Salvador had two very large earthquake in 2001. Many people received help, but 400 families in Santa de Maria never got the help they were promised. Instead, they have been living in the same ill-designed and ill-constructed temporary settlement since 2001. They're living in conditions that are unacceptable. I'm excited to meet these extraordinary environmental refugees who have preserved through many years of hardship and a many broken promises.

 The sweetest smile I've ever seen

Breakfast with the management team

The house I worked on in February, now finished and being lived in

Another house that our team worked on. On the right is Mario and to the left is his granddaughter. Mario's daughter and granddaughter live in this home.

 Mario is a great gardener 

1st generation next living next to 3rd and 4th generation. The great grandma's home was built by her husband a long long time ago. If I'm correct, she's 95 years old. 

 The co-operative's place of operation

 Some of the merchandise

 Gale and her new friend

 San Salvador at night