Our family recently returned from El Salvador, grateful for one of the most extraordinary experiences of our lives. Traveling as part of a group of 18 volunteers with the non-profit OneKid OneWorld (OKOW), we provided much-needed rebuilding at San Alfonso School, near La Libertad.
The mission of OKOW is to make a difference in the lives of children in need around the globe. Schools that OKOW supports often lack the most basic necessities such as functioning bathrooms, kitchens, or libraries. As a result, many children in these communities do not stay in school beyond 4th grade. But with renovations, OKOW has seen school attendance increase by as much as 30%. With access to education and improved resources, children have a chance to build a better life.
For four days we worked alongside the school community to rebuild the kitchen and play areas, transform a storage area into a computer/library center, repaint, build seating and garden areas, and paint murals—all while building friendships. We’ve seen first-hand how big of a difference our support can make—and hope you can get a sense of that from our video. We appreciate you considering a donation for our family’s goal of raising $5,000. All money raised will go towards the work we completed at San Alfonso School.
Here are reflections of the experience from Alec and Kyler:
Alec: “Before our trip to El Salvador, I didn’t really know what to expect, but once we got there I really liked it. I loved seeing how much we changed the school and making new friends. All the kids were friendly and did their best to welcome us. I was able to connect with them most through soccer, which we played every day. As well, I got to see how their schools were different than ours. They had chalkboards, smaller classes, and not as big of a school. In all, it was an experience that I really enjoyed and would do again.”
Kyler: “When I first heard of the One Kid One World service trip to El Salvador, I can’t lie, I was skeptical. Four days did not seem like enough time to make any significant change. It was at the end of our first workday when I realized how wrong I was. I finished powering through the sixteenth crate of the day with my electric saw, still unsure of what I was even building, when I looked around at the progress we made. I saw the new coats of paint drying, the planter boxes and concrete floor taking shape, the intricate and beautiful art pieces being painted, and I saw happiness. The joy that the boys playing soccer felt, the joy of the construction workers trying to communicate with us how to shovel the concrete, and the joy that the students, teachers, and principal felt as their school got new breath. I came home not only with a sense of accomplishment and community, but with a realization of how much a small act of generosity, taking just four days from my busy life, could make on a group of individuals who I can now call my friends.”
We hope you'll consider supporting this great cause. Every amount helps. Thanks in advance for your consideration!
