First let’s talk about Sulma: the precious and adorable, the vibrant and unabashed, the Marianne of the two.
I think it was Sulma’s ingenuous optimism that first made me love her. Her first impression is very strong. She isn’t shy; she’s very playful, and incredibly affectionate. She loves to sing and dance and hug and isn’t timid about doing any of them. I love that. Especially here where most kids are too embarrassed to raise their hand in class and would rather die than talk in front of a group. Sulma’s a performer. When I had the general assembly and we played the scene reenacting my first day here, Sulma was terrific; she even improvised.
When she grows up she wants to be a singer and a dancer. At 12, having a dream like that in The States is even rare, here, it’s unheard of. But she won’t let anyone rain on her parade. She also told me that she doesn’t want to get married until she’s 30 because of all the things she wants to do with her life first. Again, this is outrageous and beautiful. Age 30 is on the down-side of spinsterhood for women here, I usually get bewildered stares when girls find out I’m single at 23.
I guess it’s her naivety that I love so much. She’s so young and impressionable and still holds that childlike wonderment that we’ve all but lost. Do I think that eventually the world will harden her spirit? Yes I do. But please, not just yet. I want her to keep the fantasy as long as possible.
Even though it’s only been a few months, I absolutely love Sulma and I think she will be one of the hardest people to say goodbye to.
And then of course there’s Jesica: the practical and sharp, the perceptive and modest, the one who strikes much more resemblance to Elinor.
I liked Jesica right away too, but my affection for her wasn’t as immediate as that for Sulma. As time has passed she’s continually impressed me and I’ve come to care for her very much.
Jesica is more timid in front of a crowd, but still she acted in my little scene for the assembly. I think she did this less for the acknowledgement of the performance, and more because she knew I needed help. I’ve noticed that. She’s always setting aside her own regards in order to help others.
She’s also very smart, in a way that might not be immediately obvious, but over time is impossible to ignore. It’s been really nice to find these little surprises about her along the way. During the census I gave a questionnaire to everyone over 13 to see how much they knew about sexual reproduction and all that jazz. Jesica, who’s 13, answered better than most 16 or 17 year olds I gave it to. There was a question that asked what the risks are for having a child prematurely; most kids either didn’t know or said something like the parents can’t care for the baby. Jesica said abortion, which is illegal in this country. And I just remember being very impressed with that answer because she was the only one who thought of it, yet it is probably the most practical answer to the question.
One of my favorite things about Jesica is that she likes to walk fast. Silly, I know, but Salvadorans walk soooo slow, it takes them forever to go anywhere. I, on the other hand, have maintained my rapid American pace. I’ve always been like this, I don’t know why, but it’s just my thing. Anyways, whenever we go around with a big group, Jesica and I always take the lead. I time how fast we can climb this one unbelievably steep hill to see if we improve each time. She’s more competitive and outdoorsy than Sulma, and God knows I love that.
When Jesica grows up, she wants to be a teacher. Perhaps not as wild and romantic as a dancer, but certainly more pragmatic, and something I can really see her doing.
I love the differences between my sisters; one’s strength is the other’s weakness. Where Sulma is more emotional and dramatic Jesica is prudent and level-headed. Where Jesica is safe and predictable, Sulma is daring and spontaneous.
So there you have it. A glimpse of two of the most important people to me here in El Salvador.
Work and life here have been pretty slow. But that’s not anything I haven’t expected. With the help of the school and the ADESCO (community-based organization), we’re starting a recycling program… ish. Basically we fill these gigantic bags called Jumbos with plastic bottles and a guy who brings goods to the local store with his semi will haul them away. I hope we can keep this one going. I’m starting with a competition at the school to see which grade can collect the most bottles, and I’ve been blown away by how many the kids have collected. But to actually continue this practice might be the real challenge.
At any rate, I’ll stay optimistic. I haven’t done much yet, and it’s been almost 7 months in this country. I understand more and more everyday why this is a two year commitment.
Sulma showing off outr lovely latrine. This is where all of our "business" gets done. And she presents it better than Vanna White could (I might be biased).
This is Jesica and her grandmother Mercedes, another one of my favorites here. Those are Mercedes glasses. I love this picture because they're both smiling which is a rarity down here.
