tragedy in Central America

I'm not sure how televised or talked about it is in the U.S., but there have been devastating rains and storms throughout all of central america for the past week. we woke up last monday morning, grateful for a cooling from the rain, but unfortunately it never stopped, and really only grew in power. the group hasn't experienced the flooding firsthand, but the majority of the lower region of el salvador and guatemala is devastated by flooding that is greater than when hurricane mitch hit in 2008.

there is a community we visited two weekends ago called nueva esperanza, which has an incredible history: during the war this community of about 600 were driven out by the army, forced to live in the basement of a church for upwards of 6 years, displaced to refugee camps in nicaragua, and then finally returned to land that, for the first time, is legally entitled to them in the bajo lempa region. we caught wind of news today that the entire community is now under water, and most everyone was able to evacuate except for a few who are now awaiting either boats or helicopters to come. however even more sad, is that the agricultural co-op they've developed over the last 15 years or so, which yields coconuts, sugar cane, mangos, corn, and cows, is now completely ruined. a good majority of this community relies upon the small profits from these farms for their sustenance.

being in central america as a traveling student from the united states feels so crippling. we are so close to the victims, having even made friendships with many, and yet we are leaving the country on saturday to go on a vacation to the beach for our fall break. our directors told us that if we get the opportunity to volunteer this week they'll let us know, however, the reality is that we are able to pick up our things and leave these countries that have given us so much, when they are in their greatest need. of course I will carry their story and my experiences with me forever, but it is a perfect example how far removed our privileged lives are from the poor and oppressed, who are continually the worst off in such disasters, and are the last to be attended to.

so, long story short, if you could keep these people in your thoughts, prayers, energies, or whatever works for ya, please do so, as they'll need all they can get.

A mural in Nueva Esperanza. Translation: "We build a free town."