El Salvador: Las Marias Biblioteca Movil

Finally able to access the internet without having to travel 45 minutes into the city! The mobile internet is not a quick or reliable but it is all I have. If pages take too long to load, they simply do not load. I am hoping this post will make it up. It has been almost two weeks since my arrival in El Salvador. After getting my house 'in order' and visiting my grandmothers, I have already begun the work. I have met with the school director who invited me to the parent/teacher advisory board meeting this week to present on my project.

Everyone was thrilled to hear about the work that is to be completed and I even got a few names of individuals interested in being on the steering committee! That was a fruitful meeting.

I have also met with three informal community leaders (in various capacities, i.e. store owner, religious leader, political representative in the municipality) to let them know of the work that I hope to begin with various local schools. All positive feedback so far.

The next few weeks, I will be working directly from the school in Las Marias, the principal has graciously allocated some space for me which is excellent because I will have more direct access to teachers, parents and the principal. I plan to set the first committee meeting by the end of September and have our first town meeting by mid to late October depending on how quickly we identify the person who will be working with me.

I hope my timelines are not too ambitious as I have learned that things move a little more slowly here, even meetings. It has been wonderful to hear much of the history of the community and I have enjoyed the openness with which I have been received.