Oct/Nov 2018 Newsletter

SSC partnered with Weathermatic to upgrade the irrigation systems at the campuses we serve to help better manage water usage. This simple goal grew into aiding in a mission to provide clean water to at risk communities across the globe. Most recently SSC sponsored 6 students to travel to Guatemala to help dig a well in a small village called El Amatillo. Featured are reflections from the students’ experiences. SSC in the Community The morning before the trip began like any other normal school day. The buzzing of my alarm pulled me from my dream world and returned me to reality. With a groan I slowly made my way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. As I brushed my teeth I let the water run to warm-up before I got in. A morning shower is perfect for washing the sleep away. Once I was out I walked to my daughter’s room to let her know it was time to wake up for school, then I headed to the kitchen to fix her breakfast. A quick on-the-go Eggo waffle fresh from the toaster. As I walked back to my room to start getting myself dressed for work I saw that my daughter was still in bed. I looked up at the clock and my cool- calm attitude went out the window. Like the sound of banging pots I asked her why she wasn’t dressed yet. She darted out of bed and headed for the restroom as though her life depended on it. Ah yes, just another normal school day morning at my house. Twenty-four hours later I was in a van driving down a bumpy road headed for El Amatillo, Guatemala. As I exited the van I was immediately greeted by blazing sun rays. As my eyes adjusted to the brightness I began to see all the lush greenery around me. Once my eyes completely adjusted I began to see the houses behind the trees.

Desiree Espericueta, Senior, Texas A&M Unviersity—San Antonio

it dawned on me that this day was Monday; a normal school day morning. I thought back to my daughter’s school attire; her school uniforms were always nicely cleaned and pressed, and her black shoes were neatly polished. In my ignorance I thought to myself, perhaps they were going to help us with the water well and did not want to ruin their school clothes. But my ignorance was validated once the kids were directed to return to school following the morning prayer. I could not help but feel helpless. What could I do to help improve the lives of the people of El Amatillo? I had to remind myself that we were there to build a water well. It wasn’t long before my feeling of helplessness was replaced with motivation. The town of El Amatillo was in need of a clean source of water and I was going to help make that happen. No language barrier or lack of drilling experience would stop me. However, my eagerness might have been slightly premature because there was no competing with the sun. As I went for my second drink of water I noticed that the volunteer town workers had not had their first drink of water. Their work ethic was like none

I had ever seen. Across the street from my office back home there has been street construction going on for over a year on a stretch of road a block long. Those workers work under a canopy with a warehouse fan to keep them cool. They seem to work for 15 minutes then take a 45 minute break. In our case about three or four hours elapsed before the town workers took a break. The town workers stood around the igloo water cooler like office personnel stand around the office water cooler. The difference was these men were not holding cups of coffee while devouring donuts. They were drenched in sweat and trying to cool off for two minutes under the trees. As I sat back cooling off, I looked around and could see the happiness in the townspeople’s faces. The men stood around the cooler joking and laughing, the children laughed and played, and the women talked and laughed as they prepared our lunch. Everyone in the town worked together regardless of social status or kinship. I will never forget how the people of El Amatillo cope with life and endure life without enjoying all the things that we as Americans take for granted.

Cinder brick houses covered with stucco and shaded by metal roofs. The local residents slowly began to greet us. It was no surprise that they were hesitant for we were strangers. But it wasn’t long before the ice was broken by the children of the local school with a parade and welcome banner. Everyone was asked to stand in a circle for morning prayer. There was something peaceful about seeing a diversity of people, whether praying or not, remain silent. As everyone stood in a circle I began to notice that most of the children were not wearing any shoes. As I looked closer to the quality of their clothing I could see the tears and stains on their little shirts. And

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SSC | SERVICE SOLUTIONS | NEWSLETTER | JULY 2018

SSC | SERVICE SOLUTIONS | NEWSLETTER | JULY 2018