Las Trincheras Story
(Autor of Post)
(Position of Person)
The story of Las Trincheras is a love story. It is the love of family, neighbor and friend that shines as you walk with the people through the pathways of this little village. It is the love of the two hundred plus travelers who left their homes and creature comforts in North America to come and visit, laugh, cry, play, dance and work together with the wonderful people of this village as they build a better life for both villagers and travelers.
The beginning of Las Trincheras, a little history
The civil war devastated El Salvador from 1979 to 1992. The war pitted the government and military against so-called “guerillas” and ordinary civilians suspected of supporting them. Fighting produced great violence, most waged by counterinsurgency forces of the military. Entire villages were destroyed, thousands of people were displaced while paramilitary death squads targeted peasants, whom they believed to be to be organizing a revolution against the government. It was during these circumstances in the early 1980’s that 50 familiesfled the eastern part of El Salvador from places such as Santa Marta in Cabañas, Morazán, Chalatenango among others to establish what would become Santa Marta Las Trincheras in the department of Sonsonate. During this time, the poor were not considered important and poverty was common. Places such as Las Trincheras instantly became dependent on subsistence farming, and during this time, new settlements were ignored by local and central government. With great effort these settlers would build three small classrooms and have two teachers to provide basic education for their children; nearly thirty years would pass before Las Trincheras could start dreaming about having decent facilities for education and health.
The beginning of ESNA’s engagement
ESNA’s first engagement with Las Trincheras was in 2011. The introduction was at the request of Haydee, a young council woman in the mayor’s office. These words from Cecily O’Regan, a frequent traveler, best describe Haydee;
“As you looked into Haydee’s eyes you could see that she was a caring and sensitive soul. But there was something more. You also sensed that she carried the weight of her community on her shoulders: the hopes and fears for the next generation with no beacon of hope for how to improve their lives. Haydee was quiet and shy and perhaps not quite sure what to do with the American visitors.”
This amazing woman graciously gave us a tour of her community. This is what we saw as we walked among the people and down the dusty roads:
- Volunteers at a make-shift daycare in an old church from the late 1800’s that was structurally unstable from earthquake damage years ago. This volunteer program was established for mothers who needed to work but did not have care for their little ones.
The primary school built in the mid 1980’s consisting of three small classrooms and two teachers for eighty K-5th grade students. A non- functioning bathroom save for one stall which needed water so the children went to the river every morning to get water so they could utilize this single toilet. Volunteers in a small 6ft by 8ft structure cooking over an open wood pit with smoke and fumes consuming the space as they worked to feed the school children each day.
As we walked thru the village, we would see women and children returning from the river with water jugs on their head. This was a daily task as there was no clean water available.
We saw many homes made from recycled tin, logs, and plastic that could not withstand the rain and the winds of the local environment.
Most impressive to us was a community that supported one another, working together and volunteering to secure the basic needs of the community.
We also saw a people with a sadness in their eyes or perhaps a sense of hopelessness or a lack of self- worth. People looking for help but not knowing where to go.
A partnership and plan is established
In El Salvador you are not recognized by NGO’s, Ministry of Education, the local municipality or by state government if you lack a legalized ADESCO. Limited funds from all the afore mentioned organizations are allocated only to legally recognized communities. Las Trincheras had nowhere to go, no assistance to be found.
ESNA felt this would be the perfect community for us to partner with and to demonstrate the value of our vision and model. ESNA signed up for the long run.
Haydee facilitated a community meeting where we gathered input from everyone regarding their needs and priorities. They understood that the priorities would be their priorities, not ESNA’s. Input into project design and function was critical and active participation in each project, working with the ESNA team was a requirement.
The community immediately demonstrated their wisdom and vision as they worked through their list of needs. Education became the number one priority with water and health as number two and three. We believe this quote from one of the community members expressed what everyone was feeling:
“We have lived with poor sanitation and without clean water for over twenty years. A few more years will not kill us. Our future is in the hands of our children, we must provide them with an education if we expect their lives to be better than ours. Education must be our first priority!”
A plan was jointly developed and agreed upon. (The plan was reviewed annually but the community has never wavered from their original priorities).
Project #1 Development of an early learning center for sixty pre K children
This was the first school of its kind in all of Sonsonate and was stated to be one of the best in El Salvador by the Ministry of Education. The objective was to support families and especially mothers who needed to work allowing the older children to continue with their education. Community members were on site each day participating in each phase of the project. This project was completed in late 2013.
Project #2 Facilitating of elections and the legalization of the ADESCO
An ADESCO (self-governing body) must have a minimum of twenty-five members with balanced representation of men, women and youth. The President, Secretary and Treasurer must be able to read and write. Meeting minutes and records must be available for government review. There were multiple candidates for many of the positions. Oversight of the voting process, funding for legal support along with transportation to San Salvador for submission was provided by ESNA.
Project #3 Construction of the primary school
This project took five years to complete as one new classroom was constructed each year to handle the recent graduating class. Included was a renovation of the three original classrooms, the addition of three additional classrooms, a computer lab, new kitchen with a covered eating space that also served as a community meeting space and new bathrooms. Ministry of education funded books, uniforms, teachers and food. This project was completed in 2018. The school currently graduates thirty plus students per year.
Project #4 Provide clean water to the entire community
This project involved the drilling of two wells, construction of two water tanks, the trenching and installation of water lines to every home church and school in the community. The community provided work teams that broke rock and trenched the miles of ground needed to lay water pipes. This project was completed in 2020 with the second well added in 2022.
Project #5 Improved health and sanitation
One hundred and seventy composting latrines were built for this project. Almost every home in the community that needed a latrine received one. The beneficiaries hauled concrete block, concrete mix, and other supplies from a central location to each job site. They assisted the construction teams as needed. The community also received a dedicated health promoter to assist with health education, required shots, health checks for all children at the Early Learning Center and home visits as needed. This project was completed in 2022.
Our Travelers
This story would not be complete without talking about the two hundred plus travelers who have walked hand in hand with the people of Las Trincheras over these past ten years. Many who come every year and are known throughout the community by name.
The projects executed above were critical and the results are measurable. All important for NGO’s, donors and Foundations. However, the intangible and perhaps unmeasurable impact created by the many travelers who came, listened to their stories, held a hand, provided a hug, served a meal, played soccer, admired a child’s schoolwork, did a craft, cried, laughed, or dance together made an even greater impact on the people they touched and served. The ongoing presence of our travelers, year after year, said
“You are important, you matter, you are special, we are here to walk with you”
No longer do their eyes avoid the travelers, no longer do they feel insignificant. Our travelers have given them hope and confidence. Now they dream of a brighter future, they await your return for you are now called family.
When you come
Today when you come to visit Las Trincheras you will see these wonderful projects and there is data that will tell you there has been significant economic improvement. But it has been the intangible change that has been the most heartwarming and rewarding. When you come, the people will embrace you, children will perform dances of their native culture and history, and welcome you into their classrooms to show what they are learning. You will become part of the family.
You may meet members of the women’s coop as they work on making clothes, bags and shoes.
You may meet members of the water committee, dedicated to the continued health and wellbeing of their community.
You may meet a new ADESCO that reaches out with confidence to organizations that can assist them with new needs; drafting grants to support the elderly and other community needs, meeting with the Ministry of Education to discuss new requirements and attending to a growing community.
And without a doubt you will meet Haydee, our community liaison who has blossomed from a quiet woman with the weight of the community on her shoulders to a confident, vivacious leader who commands respect from her community and all who interact with her.
You will see a community that has evolved, you will see smiles and hear laughter, a school full of engaged children, students graduating primary school and moving on to high school, and women with great enthusiasm starting their own business. No longer do the people of Las Trincheras look down at the dirt as you walk by. Today, expect a hug, a smile and a sincere thank you for coming to our village. You automatically arrive as a friend, but you may leave as family.
Developing a relationship with a community has an enormous impact on both villagers and travelers. We know that our mission to empower people and reduce poverty, leads to stronger families and provides stability to the community.
But the one benefit that cannot be understated is watching so many like Haydee blossom before your eyes. That has been a real privilege.
Come make a difference and see for yourself!
CHANGE A LIFE - BE CHANGED FOREVER.
