Day 3: Strength in Numbers

Doña Nohemi and Jonas

Written by: Olivia Deeken

Olivia: This morning our team had the pleasure of meeting Doña Nohemí and her son, the first family to be visited by our team this trip. Doña Nohemí was the recipient of a new plancha - the local word for stove - and a new pila or wash station. Visiting Doña Nohemí excited me, because I saw in her what I hope for all of the families - a sense of ownership and motivation. 

Out of her own pocket, Doña Nohemí added her personal touch to her new stove by having beautiful ceramic tiles laid atop the stove's surface, giving it an especially polished look. With that same sense of pride and ownership, Doña Nohemí was seen wiping down the stove's surface prior to taking our photos to ensure that her stove was looking in tip top shape.

As Doña Nohemí showed us around her property, with its impressive garden and collection of barnyard animals, it's no secret that Doña Nohemí works hard to provide for her and her son. Doña Nohemí expressed the struggle of people around the world who find themselves stuck within the confines of poverty. Poverty isn't a lack of hard work or moral fiber - for Doña Nohemí exemplifies both. Sometimes hard work and motivation simply are not enough to get ahead. What I gathered from our conversation with Doña Nohemí, was that she did not just receive a new stove and wash station, she also caught a break, a small chance to get ahead. No longer does she have to worry about the lasting effects of breathing in the smoke of daily cooking fires or worrying about whether or not she'll ever have enough saved for an actual wash station. With the addition of the wash station and stove, comes the small liberty to save for other home improvements and investments or perhaps a rainy day fund for her and her son. I'm excited to see what's in store for Doña Nohemí and her son. Judging by that bright glitter of excitment and determination in her eyes, more good things are coming. You go girl!

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Don Inocente and Doña Valentina

Written by: Diana Loera

Diana: Strength in Numbers. My family is my backbone. I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am today if it weren’t for my family. I believe that there is great strength in numbers, especially when family and neighbors come together to lend a helping hand. Today the team and I got to visit Don Inocente and Doña Valentina who were recipients of a multipurpose wash station and concrete floors. 

Family members and neighbors came together to carry materials, mix the concrete and simply to keep each other company. We were able to participate and even the little ones got in on the action! When I asked Doña Valentina what it means to them to have concrete floors she said that it will help her husband greatly because it will allow him to have better footing since he easily loses his balance and falls. I joked with them a bit and said that now they will be able to dance all over the house this Christmas! That made them laugh. 

I saw the spirit of community come alive today. That spirit that allows us to reach out to others, to stand up and say, “I can help” is alive and well in Sibinal. It’s amazing to see that, it’s not that people are not capable, it’s that there aren’t always the resources available. Give people the resources and watch them build, watch them overcome, watch them prosper.

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