End of the Year in Pictures

Wow! I can't believe that it has already been a year! In a year a lot can happen. I would guess that each of you learned many new things, made some new friends, and had some fun too! The same things happened to me in El Salvador too!

Here are some pictures to show you some of the things I did this year in El Salvador! I spent my year in El Salvador as a volunteer with the Lutheran Church. I was in charge of a variety of activities throughout you the year. It was fun because no two days were ever the same!


Think about how much you have grown in just one year! I was able to help out at a Lake Project where the church was building a guesthouse. Now, I bring international groups to visit the lake and stay overnight there.

Now the guesthouse is finished! I have stayed
 overnight there a  few times. 

When I first arrived to El Salvador, construction on a
guest house was just getting started! 

Most days in El Salvador were spent in my office. I was in charge of translating many documents, replying to emails, and sending out newsletters. Sometimes there days were a little boring, but they were important too. 

This is my office!

 Throughout the year, I was able to attend many different cultural events. I really enjoyed learning about the different ways people celebrate.

On Independence Day, which happens in September 15 in El Salvador, there are many parades. People were traditional clothing. 

Around Halloween, one town celebrates a special holiday called Calabuiza.  Kids dress up as creatures that are part of Salvadoran myths and have a special parade. It is a little bit spooky, but a lot of fun! 

Right before Easter, streets in the towns are covered with beautiful pictures made out of colored salt. These people are creating their picture, called a "carpet" with stencils.

I was able to visit cultural sites in El Salvador and learn about how the Maya lived. The Maya were one of the indigenous groups of people who lived in El Salvador. There are still some indigenous people who live here today. 

Here is a Maya house that was preserved by volcanic ash. 

These are traditional hats used during special days in a city called Jayaque. 

One of my main jobs while in El Salvador was helping groups who came to visit. Many times I helped groups who came from the United States, but I also helped people from Germany, Finland, and Brazil. When groups were here, I was able to do many different things and visit new places. 

With a group from Washington DC I was able to meet many government officials. Here is our group was  the commissioner for human rights. 

With one group, I helped install solar panels. 

With another group I taught English to children. 

One of my favorite parts of my job was that I was able to help people almost everyday. 

Here I am translating for a group of doctors from Wisconsin. 

The church has a coffee farm, and I was able to help pick the coffee fruit off the tree. (Did you know coffee comes from a fruit? It is not really a bean, but really a seed?) The coffee is sold to help support different projects at the church.  

I was able to help give out donations in all these boxes! It was fun to see people excited to receive school supplies and soap. 

Over the year, I was also able to make many new friends. I am feeling a little sad that I will be leaving them soon, but I am excited to head back to Evergreen soon.

These are my coworkers. We went out to eat for a special lunch for secretary's day. 

I hope you enjoy your summer! See you soon!