A project

Dear Friends and Family,

Hard to believe – but I’ve hit the one year mark all the way down here in El Salvador. And contrary to what some may think - I don’t spend everyday in my hammock reading. Actually, I’m working in cooperation with a community group to realize a project.

In the small town of Santo Domingo de Guzman, in the western department of Sonsonate in El Salvador, works an artisan community. This group of over 60 men and women specializes in red pottery. As this group grows, it is coming across situations that restrict the expansion of their business. These limitations are presented in the form of production capacity and skill training opportunities.

The group concluded that they would focus their attention on improvements of existing ovens, construction of communal ovens and skill trainings. The new ovens will be communally used and centrally located. Existing ovens will be modified to include a chimney and a roof, among other work. Skill trainings would include work on a pottery wheel and painting classes.

Many of you have asked for ways you can support my activities (some of you haven’t...but your still getting this email with hopes that you always intended to offer help) and I’m asking for that support with this project. No fears – I’m not asking for your help in doing everything. I’m working in cooperation with a local NGO (non government organization), the artisans, and the town hall in financing this project. The NGO has agreed to pay for the two new ovens, the skill trainings and all the supplies necessary for the skill trainings. The town hall will help with transportation of building supplies and the artisans, themselves, will pay for the labor. All’s that is left is the construction materials for the improvements. This is where I am asking all of you to step in.

You may be asking, ‘what exactly are these ‘improvements’ you speak of?’ Let me explain. Many of the ovens are open on top – we would like to close the ovens, install a chimney and build a permanent roof.

The chimneys will:

A. Funnel smoke away from houses - reducing smoke related illnesses
B. Reduce the amount of wood needed to fire the pieces – the heat doesn’t
escape
C. Prevent destruction of the roof – the lamina roof is destroyed by the
fire and smoke rising from the ovens.

The permanent roofs will:

A. Protect the ovens from the nearly 6 months of rain received by El
Salvador yearly.
B. Expand the lifespan of the ovens – reducing overall costs to artisans


My goal is a little lofty – approximately $3,500 dollars. $3,500! The project cost is high due to the fact that 11 ovens will receive work – that’s a lot of bricks, metal and cement. I ask that you give what you can and maybe toss my letter to a few friends.

You should know that all donations are through an official program – meaning they are tax deductible! Not that any of you need incentive to donate.

So, if you’re all excited and can’t wait to support your friendly Peace Corps volunteer (that would be me) – check out the link below. And when you donate – please check the box that allows me to see who donated. I would like to have the opportunity to thank you.

https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=519-089&region=latinamerica


And if you don’t like the whole donating on-line thing, checks can be sent to:

Peace Corps
OPSI
1111 20th St. NW
Washington, DC 20526

Just make the check out to Peace Corps and put the project number (519-089) in the memo.

Thanks ahead of time! ¡Y que le vaya bien!

Barbara
PCV – El Salvador 2006-2008