 |
|
"Beautiful Houses" Bring Smiles in El SalvadorDate: February 26, 2003 
Under the blistering mid-day heat in La Paz, Antonia Posada sieves sand for a concrete mix. Her house in the city's San Lorenzo housing project is almost finished. She says, "I feel quite happy and I always will be thankful to God and all those people who have helped us to have these beautiful houses."
On January 13, 2001, an earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter Scale killed 844 people and injured thousands in El Salvador. Antonia's house was among the 277,858 that were damaged or completely destroyed. "It brings me sad memories," relates Antonia. "I have flashbacks of so much deaths and homeless people." The 53-year-old hard-working woman is eager to move into her new home and go back to her baby-sitting job.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod (SLS), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and other members of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International have assisted the housing project at San Lorenzo. The 78-unit housing project will be ready as soon as community residents finish the bathroom facilities. The people, who have built their own homes, also hope to obtain more funds to build a day care center, a school, a community house and a health clinic.
LWF/ACT's participation in the reconstruction process was recognized on January 13, 2003 by the government of El Salvador during the commemoration of the second anniversary of the earthquake. The award reads: "For its invaluable contribution in the reconstruction of our country. . . that have brought happiness to thousands of families by providing a new and appropriate home. . . and improved their living conditions." President Francisco Flores signed the document on behalf of all the beneficiaries. Other national and international agencies were also acknowledged.
For Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, the LWF representative for Central America, "the recognition is very significant for the Lutheran and Ecumenical World Community. . . this acknowledgement is for the dedication and commitment of our staff during this process," he said. The award also recognises the LWF/ACT contribution as having the same relevance as that of the assistance channelled by the governments of the United States, Italy, Germany and Spain.
Please give to UMCOR Advance #511447-8 and designate "El Salvador Earthquake" on the memo line of your check. Give through your local United Methodist church or mail contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call 1-800-554-8583 to make a credit card donation. One hundred percent of your gift goes to this emergency. United Methodists' generous giving to the One Great Hour of Sharing, part of their ongoing contribution to mission around the world, supplements the cost of Advance gifts.
This story has been shortened and adapted from a Dateline ACT story by Raúl Gutiérrez, communication officer for LWF/WS El Salvador/Guatemala. Material by UMCOR has be added. The photos were taken by Raúl Gutiérrez.