After the long journey yesterday I went to bed with a lightning bug dancing around the ceiling and woke to a bright new day with the sun, to a town alive with activity. Today was our first full day at Ciudad Romero. We visited the Cashew Cooperative that started through the Association by a local women's group, and an early care center where “mother educators” help with the youngest children while their families work. We also learned about the history of the community from Don Antonio, one of the leaders of Ciudad Romero. Just like any community elder he feels “a moral duty” for the health and growth of the people in the community . . . this translates in any language.
This community’s history is deep and has involved the fight for basic human rights through many decades of suffering. The city is named after the late Archbishop Romero, who raised awareness about human rights abuses during El Salvador’s civil war. The people of Ciudad Romero lived in exile in Panama during the civil war, and they have held fast together as a community ever since. This impresses me and I admire how committed everyone is to the well being of others here. Without this solidarity, they could not have persevered through all they have encountered. Caring for each other and striving to make a better situation for the community as a whole have brought them much success. It is a lesson that more should hear and take to heart.
Karen Lewis
This community’s history is deep and has involved the fight for basic human rights through many decades of suffering. The city is named after the late Archbishop Romero, who raised awareness about human rights abuses during El Salvador’s civil war. The people of Ciudad Romero lived in exile in Panama during the civil war, and they have held fast together as a community ever since. This impresses me and I admire how committed everyone is to the well being of others here. Without this solidarity, they could not have persevered through all they have encountered. Caring for each other and striving to make a better situation for the community as a whole have brought them much success. It is a lesson that more should hear and take to heart.
Karen Lewis