For One Another Happenings

What a day.

After three buses, crossing half the country, installing a filtration system in a street home near the coast, a lovely breakfast/lunch and two more buses back in a rainstorm, we made it home safe and sound.  Mission accomplished.

Total Microbe Samples from
four different water samples.

Top: Filtered Water

Third Down: Children's Home

Carrie and I decided to return to the children’s home* near the coast that we visited last week.  They had told us their one and only filter in the kitchen needed a replacement part and some work and had asked us for help.  There are 120 children there of all ages, including many babies.  They are not supported by the government at all and rely on outside support to get by month to month.  We tested their water last week using the kits we brought and it had a very high bacterium count judging by the color matched with the colors on the chart.  It also smelled so bad.  I know that’s not very scientific but it can't be a good thing.

We left the house this morning at seven with little more than a filter, a giant bucket, a camera, cell phones, drinking water and some coins for the buses.  I just want to point out that we received our own address two days ago and we do not know the city or the bus routes yet.  After finding our way to the chaotic central district, we jump off knowing we need to change buses, just not sure where.  As we cautiously ask around it just starts to feel…not right.  The woman working in a street pharmacy tells us it’s up two blocks and to the left.  The armed guard steps in and tells her she’s wrong, its two blocks up to the right!  We left while they were still discussing it figuring the “two blocks up” part was probably right and staying in one place for too long is a bad idea.  


As we walk we get looks, whistles, hisses, horns and greetings (among other things).  It feels like us pedestrians take up every square inch that kids, dogs, cars, big buses, mini buses, bicycles and motorcycles don’t.  Everything is being sold from food and gum to lottery tickets and cars.  We seriously need to find this bus.  One sketchy man followed us to the corner and got so close I thought about running through the lines of traffic to get away but eventually he got tired of being ignored and wondered off...and there we see it! Our bus, green with every other color of the rainbow, so full of people that they are popping out the windows as it rattles towards us!  I wave them in and they blow right past me yelling at me to go to the stop.  But I don’t know where the stop is.  So we run after it another block and a half  (swinging bucket and all) and jump up into the crowed bus, metal on metal brakes still screeching.

After one more hectic bus change we arrive at the children’s home and find the director.  We explain that we brought a new filter for the kitchen and her whole face lights up.  She asks if it will filter bacteria and parasites and tells us it will be great, especially for the babies.  She thanks us over and over and tells us she really wants another for the attached school if possible.  We tell her we’ll let her know soon about when we can come back with another.  We show her and the cook how to use and clean it.  They were so nice kept asking questions including how many of us are here and you should have seen her face when Carrie said, “Solo nosotras dos” (just us two).  She looked like she thought we were crazy.  As we are there she has to run off and help unload a pickup truck that had brought supplies.  We exchange information and I tell her to call if she needs anything but we will be back soon.  The cook gives both Carrie and I a big hug and says, “God bless you both.” with a warm smile as we leave.

The new Sawyer PointOne Filter in the kitchen for the 

Children's Home as the cook prepares lunch for 120 kids.

On the way back I accidentally turned down the air-conditioned luxury bus when a guy with a thick French accent told me it went to a part of San Salvador I didn’t think I knew.  As it drove away, and Carrie pointed out where it was going, I realized I had made a mistake.  So we got on the minibus with no AC, minimal brakes and maximum people but as soon as we get up into the mountains it started raining.  It poured.  Everyone slides their windows closed, the whole bus fogs up and water sprays on our feet through holes in the floor.  As we change buses a few more times I ask myself why I wore white pants today.

Third bus back and I recognize a gas station and hope it’s the one near our house.  Half and hour walk later, we’re home!  It’s such a good feeling.  I can’t wait to know the area better but until then, I’ll travel with caution and be thankful for all the good people who help me along the way.

-Steph

*Certain names, places and people may be left out for safety reasons, especially in long-term projects.

1 COMMENTS:

Anonymous said...

Ha ha that is funny you guys are special ! :)