Accompanying the Organized Youth of San Vicente
By Laura Hotelling
(Laura visited the CRIPDES (Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador) San Vicente Youth Program in July 2005. All of our sistering partnerships are via CRIPDES. Laura is from St Mary's University Parish in Mt Pleasant, Michigan. St. Mary's twins with Miramar and supports the CRIPDES San Vicente Youth Organizing Project.)
I have to admit; even after months of planning for this trip, I had my worries regarding this new experience in El Salvador. Although I had visited this beautiful country twice before, this was the first trip for my husband Aaron; it was also a completely different type of visit. Whereas my first two visits had been parts of delegations and accompanied by someone from SHARE, this was to be an observation of how CRIPDES and its youth program work. It was also going to be entirely on our own.
I quickly realized I had nothing to worry about. Not only did CRIPDES greet us with open arms, but they also made it very clear that if we needed anything or had any questions, all we had to do was ask. During our first full-day meeting with them, it did not take long before we were able to crack a few jokes back and forth with them.
Regarding the youth program, we did not know what to expect going in. When we had heard about the “youth project,” we had figured it was some sort of current project on which one group was working. What we found out was that the “youth program” is comprised of many different groups of youth from different communities. Erika, with whom we worked, is about the same age we are, so we could relate to her working with youth, especially since we are both teachers.
We began to be impressed with Erika during our first meeting. This feeling continued throughout our work with her. Although she was able to relate to the youth in group and joke with them on their levels, she knew when it was time to get to work. Occasionally when there was a disturbance or harsh words, she put a stop to them right away. She was also quick to tell some of the youth when she did not feel that they were pulling their weight in the program. At the same time, Erika created an open environment in which everyone felt comfortable voicing his/her opinion.
Being teachers, we know how difficult it can be to get our students motivated. At times, it is quite a struggle. We were able to see people not much younger than ourselves, who have next to nothing, motivated and working because they know they can make their situations better. In addition to working with this group, these youth are strongly committed to their families.  They are waking up early to help with the morning meal; they are in the fields helping plant the food for the community; they attend school not because they have to but because they want to learn. This is a source of encouragement that cannot even be described in words; it can only be felt.
When I asked some of the youth from our community what their goals were, they said they would like to help their community the best way they can. What I saw between the community work and the development of the youth program were youth who were also helping themselves. Many more young people I talked to had aspirations of getting higher level jobs than in my past visits. In learning to work together, they are learning how to work professionally.
People often ask me why I continue to go back to an area of the world that is considered dangerous. I tell them it is because of the people I know there. These are people I now consider not only friends but family. They are people who see a better world and are see how it is possible. Part of El Salvador will never leave me, and part of me will never leave El Salvador.
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