El Salvador - Habitat para la Humanidad

Day 2 on the worksite

I spent 11 unbelievable days in the smallest country in Central America, El Salvador. I went with Habitat for Humanity International and we worked for 5 days building at two different sites. El Salvador suffered through an intense civil war from 1980 - 1992. In the years following there were several earthquakes and hurricanes that rocked the nation. The people of El Salvador are still suffering the effects of both the civil war and the earthquakes. We had the privilege of working with two families whose dreams were coming true - they were building a brand new house! One of the old houses had a middle wall that rocked back and forth with the touch of a finger.


One of the greatest parts of the trip was the relationships built with the homeowner and his family, as well as the mason and supervisors. This family welcomed us with open arms. They blessed us with fresh melon or pineapple each morning during break time. They were patient as we learned how to do the masonry work, gently correcting us, and reteaching us techniques. We moved a lot of dirt that week. We also pounded a lot of dirt with homemade tampers (a bucket like shape of concrete with a pole stuck into it). As the week continued, the walls on the house grew quickly and friendships were formed through smiles, laughter, hand gestures, and feeble attempts at Spanish. As we laid the "mezcla" before the next row of block, stuck it between the blocks, and poured the "chizpah" into the blocks with re-bar laughter echoed across the site. Reggaeton poured out of the stereo, shovels scraped, rock and sand were sifted. In five short days the house had progressed from ground level to a week away from the roof. Don Tito, the homeowner, was the hardest worker there and the most joyful. He had a constant smile on his face and would frequently call out jokes in the midst of working. His dream was coming true!

Me, Brian, Don Tito, & Karen
- laying mezcla -

I had the opportunity to ride with him and two others to another house to pick up some scaffolding. He asked me and Brian to come with him. They climbed on the back of the truck and I was motioned to get in the passenger side. Suddenly we are riding off into the woods of El Salvador, me next to a man I could barely communicate with and didn't even know his name! After a ten minute ride we pulled up to this enormous house with about 8 small rooms and 4 large rooms. While talking with Don Tito, I managed to figure out that it was his sister's house and that he had helped build it! He was so proud! Then I learned the purpose of my ride - to help haul scaffolding onto the back of the truck. So I went over, a little apprehensive at the size and weight, and not wanting to appear weak lugged on up onto my shoulder. With a few grunts I was able to make it to the back of the truck! We continued until the truck bed was full. The compliment of the week was when Don Tito said "Muy Fuerte!" and "Come pollo!" to me. Muy fuerte means very strong. Come pollo was our group joke. In San Salvador there were a ton of billboards that had a very fit man without a shirt on. Next to the man there were the words: "El come pollo," which means "He eats chicken." Very manly ehh? If you want to get buff - eat chicken! Needless to say it was a phrase we heard countless times on the trip, and especially the work site! It was humbling for Don Tito to compliment me as we often felt more "in the way" than a big help. Don Tito's radiant smile, the laughter in his eyes, and his pride in his family and house are things I will never forget!

Day 5

If you ever desire to work with Habitat go to EL SALVADOR!!! They desparately need groups to come. It is not a country that recieves as many groups because it doesn't appeal to many looking for a touristy trip as well. They have amazing Habitat staff, a beautiful country, and it is easy to travel to other countries in Central America.