Our group celebrated the New Year in a very fun experience
in Guatemala. We enjoyed site seeing, shopping, and learning about the culture.
After spending four hours in a van, we came back to our home and quickly fell asleep,
ready for the next day. We woke up early this morning and headed once again to
our worksites.
In Las Delicias we continued working on building a home for
a single parent family. It is interesting to see the living conditions of the
people. Houses are crowded around one another and built literally in the middle
of the trees and wildlife. I feel horrible knowing that this new house is going
to make a family very happy, but also knowing that back in the states this is
not as good as it gets. The people are happy just to be getting a home, they
don’t care that it isn’t going to be much. The family of six is going to have a
kitchen, a living room, and two bedrooms, A FAMILY of SIX. I am in awe of how
thankful they are just to be given this small dwelling that they will be able
to call home.
As soon as we started I was immediately put to work digging
trenches for the foundation. I put my muscles to work, pulling away at the dirt
with my spike-axe, shoveling the dirt into wheel barrows, and dumping it out of
the way. I have to admit, it was hot, sticky, and very dusty. I found myself
completely covered in dirt and dripping in sweat. After my first water break I looked
at my progress with despair, I felt as if I hadn’t made a dent in the earth at
all. I was beginning to get grumpy and thinking nothing was getting done, but
then I was surprised to see that a young boy and girl had joined the progress.
They were a part of the group of kids who would one day be living in the home
and I was humbled to know that they were willing to help build their own
home. I once again picked up my axe and
begin digging away again.
Finally lunch came and we joined the other group up at the
day care to enjoy our apples and sandwiches, thankfully I was able to find some
Nutella instead of the traditional peanut butter sandwiches. I loved being
there with the children that I had seen earlier in the week. I have helped with
other service projects and I have done many philanthropy events, but nothing
has brought more emotion out of me than seeing the smiling faces of the
children of El Salvador. They have such a spirit and the biggest hearts. One
child, named Daniel, has really touched me deeply. He has the biggest smile,
and he is so smart. On Monday, we played memories games, puzzles, and Uno.
Today he was excited to play baseball and jump rope. Unfortunately I only had a
chance to pitch to him a few times, but I was so excited to get to see him once
again.
After lunch we headed back to our building site. We
continued scooping more dirt, except this time we had even more help. Ranging
from the ages of 4 to 13 little kids were running around the sites excitedly
offering a helping hand. After grabbing a drink of water I would find my shovel
taken from me by a child of merely seven who eagerly wanted to show how strong
she was, and that she could help too. My heart melted as the children threw
themselves into working just as hard if not harder than me.
Trying to build the home was difficult and I’m sure it isn’t
going to get easier these next couple of days, but it is so much fun. Even
while we are working people are joking with one another, and the language
barrier can’t stop the smiles and forms of communication we have used. Some
people may disagree and say that building a house cannot be fun, but I truly
mean it when I say I enjoyed helping build the home because of the people who I
was working with. I may be sore, tired, and hot, but I am smiling and that is
all that really matters.
We finished up in the afternoon and said our goodbyes. We were
able to finish all but one trench which is close to being done. After we
returned to the house and scrubbed ourselves clean, and I literally mean
scrubbed, I’m still finding dirt on myself; we had dinner with the rest of the
group. Around 7 o’clock we gathered to watch a movie based on the Archbishop
Romero, who had a significant influence in El Salvador. As a man of God he
spoke out for the poor and wanted to find a way to help them. His passion for
God and the people ended in his murder; however his spirit lives on in the
people.
Tonight during reflection we discussed our fraternal values.
Although my sorority has important values I found myself connecting my journey
in El Salvador to my sorority’s creed.
To the World I Promise,
Temperance, and Insight, and Courage. To Crusade for Justice, to Seek the
Truth, and Defend it always. To those whom my life may Touch in slight measure,
may I Give Graciously of what is Mine. To my Friends Understanding and Appreciation,
to those closer ones, Love that is ever steadfast. To my mind growth to myself
Faith, that I may Walk Truly in the light of the Flame.
The words of my creed sum up my sorority’s values. Here in
El Salvador I am crusading for the poor and helping them in whatever way that I
can. I know I am only helping a small amount, but any help is good help. This
journey is also helping my mind grow because I am learning about a new culture
and I have a new found faith in the good of humankind.
Greeks can strive to help change the world, one journey at a
time. If we are to live by our values and creeds there is no reason why we can’t
find the time to help out those less fortunate than ourselves, who may never
know how it feels to have a place called home.
Holly Weiss is a senior at Fort Hays State University and
President of the Delta Omega Chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority.
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