San Julian

Our NGO project partner in Usulután is Oikos Solidaridad whose mission is to accompany communities impoverished and vulnerable. We are working together to form projects for sustainable community development and protection.

Last Tuesday we viewed the reclamation and agriculture project proposed for the community of San Julian which is in the volcanic range of Chaparrastique. We drove to San Jorge and then entered the dirt and rock spillway system that drains the mountains of thunderous rains. The spillway is in need of drastic repair as we are 5 months into the rainy season, but it is the only means to travel in and around the entire range. The safest way to travel is on foot, for long distance by horse or for transporting supplies by ox cart. We traveled by truck and it is an understatement to say that it was rough! We drove up a long distance and then we walked straight up for another long and hot distance.

After the end of the civil war, settlers lacking any environmental awareness cut trees and plowed the soil with no regard to erosion control. The effect of 18 years of poor soil management is drastic. In other communities of this mountain range, Oikos Solidaridad has implemented reclamation projects to stop the environmental destruction and has made significant progress in improving the land for agriculture.

San Julian has 900 families living in poverty; over 4500 people would have significant impact in training, health, and nutrition. Reducing the amount of runoff would benefit 10s of thousands who live downstream (like us).




Early Wednesday morning we will on our way home. We return with items we don’t use or no longer need in order to preserve them. Because of the severe tropical conditions here in Usulután, our shoes, belts, clothing, watch, wallets, and camera have become moldy, rotten or rusty. These all need to be replaced.

Our children and grandchildren will be with us the third week of September for time at the lake. We might not swim, but we will be able to enjoy familiar smells, fresh air, the turning leaves and the unique smell of the lake.

While our bodies, hearts, and spirits will be in the states, our thoughts will continue on for El Salvador as we will work on lessons plans, project proposals, and purchasing supplies for our return. Plus we will be giving presentations, doing fund raising and happily receiving donations for our projects.

We will not have internet readily available, but our state side cell phone is 262-339-2570.

David y Nancy