Thoughts from the Youth on the 2008 Delegation
"For the second time, El Salvador has left the same great impression on me. For the last 50 years, the small, once beautiful country has been war torn and has had its people broken. But yet it still amazes me that they continue to persist through the most difficult times, and still love one another as we do. It is this that gives me hope and will keep me returning, one year after the next."
- Colin, age 15
"The El Salvador trip was so much fun! Going with my friends from here and meeting news ones while I was there made it very meaningful for me. I loved trying out my Spanish and getting to know the local people. Some of the best times were playing basketball and soccer with them. The New Years Eve firecrackers were pretty fun too. The most important part of the trip was being able to help people who have suffered way more than ourselves. When I realized what they have gone through, I felt that God had sent us to try and give them a better life now and in the future.
The people of Guillermo Ungo worked very hard to make us comfortable and were very welcoming. I'm really glad we did all those fundraisers because the people in our Sister Parish need our help. Thanks to everyone who helped the youth go on the trip, and for always supporting our friends in El Salvador. I hope I can go again some time soon."
- Kyle L, age 14
On my third trip to El Salvador I'm still amazed by how beautiful the people are. I had a great time seeing my dear friends Karla, Maritza, and Amanda. They make the trip in itself worth it. I loved seeing my prayer child Heydi. As soon as she saw me she recognized me and ran up and gave me a huge hug. I wanted to take her home with me. The community has made such huge improvements from my first trip. It is weird to see people with cell phones now too. This trip was so exciting and filled with amazing moments. One of my favorite parts of the trip was going to the beach of course. It was very beautiful there. I love going down to El Salvador and seeing the people and listening to there incredible stories of the hardships they have gone through in their life. I hope someday I will be able to return there.
- Stephanie, age 18
I had a really good experience in El Salvador. I liked meeting the new people and seeing how they lived their life. I thought it was amazing because they mostly do chores all day and the kids prepare and make dinner for their family. I also liked painting the school because it gave me the chance to get to know everybody. I really liked the hike that one day because it was fun exploring in a foreign country. But a couple of things I didn’t like was, 1) the poverty all around me. That kind of made me realize how lucky we are, 2) After a few days I got tired of the food because it was the same the whole week. My favorite experience we had was that one day trip to San Salvador. It was really fun because we got $1 movies and we got to see Romero’s tomb and where he was killed. I also liked playing basketball and soccer with the kids. I really hope to go next year because I enjoyed myself on this trip.
– Kyle T, age 14
Being in El Salvador was one of the most meaningful experiences in my life. The trip was very fun but at the same time it was also a very powerful experience. While I was there I saw how little they had and it made me realize how much I take for granted in my everyday life. I felt almost guilty to come home to my house and everything that I have after seeing what life was like there. Even with all the poverty in El Salvador, I never met a single person living there that wasn’t always happy and smiling. I admire that so much and I try to live my life a happier person every day since. I also admire how brave the people living there are. They are still going through some tough times with the government there. One day the girls told us about how they had to protest the government taking over their water supplies. I don’t know if I would have been able to do what they did. The people of El Salvador however have so much pride in their country and their way of living that they were able to do it.
– Joe, age 14
Added by Kent April 26, 2009 (11:14PM)
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