In this fast-paced world, people rarely stop to appreciate the things they take for granted. A 20 minute morning shower seems routine, a personal car which blasts music seems ordinary and a trip to the doctor’s office when feeling sick is not pleasant, but far from unusual. In America, it is often believed that the quality of life to which most citizens have grown accustomed is the norm and shared by the people all over the world. The reality is that much of the world only dreams of driving their own car from their own house. Twenty-five percent of the people in the world don’t have running water, and only in their wildest fantasies can picture steaming-hot morning showers.
This was seen first hand by a group of ten UCSD students, who went to the poverty-stricken country of El Salvador during spring break. While their classmates were enjoying the sun and beach or much needed pampering at home, this group traveled to a tiny town in the Usultan province to do humanitarian work. The trip was organized by Hillel and La Coordinatora. La Coordinatora is an El Salvadorian agency in its fourth year of operation that works in conjunction with the U.S. to help citizens who suffer from natural disasters and war damage that have plagued the country. Their mission is to teach the citizens self-sufficiency.
“”Instead of giving money to fix something, [La Coordinatora] wants to teach the people how to be self-sufficient,”” said participant Ellen Holloway.
Forty students from UC Berkeley, Stanford University, University of Ohio and UCSD participated in the program. The students helped local farmers diversify their crops, thereby putting less demand on the already weak soil and planting crops that will earn money. Because 40 students were working there, they were able to accomplish much in a short period of time.
Upon stepping off the airplane, the students immediately understood that life in El Salvador was very different from San Diego. Drenched in constant sweat from the high humidity and eaten alive by the tropical insects, the group was miserable at first. They stayed in dorms in a La Coordinatora site that were a far cry from the UCSD housing. The dorms were simple structures with concrete floors and walls, tin roofs and no air conditioning or hot running water. Despite these sparse accommodations, the students quickly began to immerse themselves in the daily life and were very sad to leave.
Their week-long trip allowed the students a true view of life in El Salvador. Far from the tourist traps of the main city, the group worked harder than they ever had, often side by side with local farmers. Holloway describes their days as the longest, most hardworking that she ever experienced. Most people were amazed at how productive they were during this week. Waking up before seven on most days, the group would eat a home-cooked meal and be out working hard by nine. The work, though grueling, was very satisfying because the students were able to see the results of their efforts.
“”We did tangible work to aid a community that was and still is in need of help,”” Holloway said.
One of the aspects of the trip that touched many people was interactions with the host families. Each student was matched with a family and would eat three meals a day with them, which provided them an opportunity to become more immersed in the cultural aspect of the country. Holloway made an especially profound connection with her host family, still keeping in contact with the mother. She described their last night in El Salvador as being very poignant. The host family began to cry as they said their goodbyes.
“”It was a very touching moment. I had never anticipated the profound connection that we would make,”” she said.
The community opened their arms to the college students and would often come to the dorms at night to spend time with them. Holloway explains that it was seemingly small things that would interest the local people, especially the children.
“”I taught my host family how to play Go Fish,”” she said. “”It was so simple, yet the people were so excited and interested; it was truly touching.””
The trip left a deep impact on everyone that many of the people didn’t expect.
“”If everyone saw what we saw, everyone would be different. Everyone should see poverty, then they will recognize the need that exists,”” Holloway said. “”While people should be grateful for what they have, they should give to people what they don’t have just because it’s the right thing to do.””
Everyone on the trip made a connection not only with one another, but also with their host families.
“”It was human connection at the most basic level,”” Holloway said of the deep connection between the students and their host families.
After their return, many of the students felt strange to be back in the United States. Though the living conditions in El Salvador were not what the students were used to, their standards of comfort had changed.
“”I have never seen poverty before. It was a strange feeling to come back to the states where we have so much so easily, knowing that the people we were living with have to work really hard for so much less. It’s hard too, knowing our reality and their reality,”” Holloway said.
The students who participated in the trip are going to be holding a benefit concert featuring AC Slater and Victor Ha in late May at Porter’s Pub. The event will be open for all ages, and proceeds are going to go to La Coordinatora. Students will be there to answer any questions about their experience.
