Just a Quick Post to say that I'm Alive...

So I had no idea how much El Salvador was making headlines until I was informed by a few people that they thought I was dead....so, just an update on my life status: I am alive.
The rains here last week were definately strong--nothing too much stronger than we got in August, but definately a few nights in a row of REALLY strong rains. I couldn't walk from house to house without being SOAKING wet. But beyond a few leaks in the house and the inability to walk outside, the rains were really not too big of a deal for us.
The news that is all over the US makes it seem like the rains absolutely ravaged the country, which is true. But what isn't really reported there is that the rains were only a small part of the problem. Our house, which is made of cement and very well constructed, was fine. As were the very nicely paved roads in Antiguo Cuscatlan, where I live. The houses and roads that were NOT fine were the houses made of lamina (sheet metal), mud, or sticks. The roads that were not fine, for the most part, were the dirt roads or the roads already in bad repair.
What I am trying to say is that being down here, I have seen the reality that the effect that natural disasters have on a country or on people is completely contingent upon factors outside the amount of rain or the magnitude of the earthquake. The people who were hurt down here the most were the people already living on the fringes. It was not so much the heavy rains that devastated El Salvador last week, but the poor infrastrucure and the poverty that already existed. It just took a flood to get this on the front page of BBC news.

As far as our connection to the floods, a few of the communities where we spend our time were badly hurt by the floods: a few houses fell, roads were washed away, and people are now left without food or potable water. In our houses, we got together all that we could, such as shirts, towels, blankets, shoes, medicine, etc etc. It was amazing how much stuff we all got together when 3 months ago we were all talking about how little we packed and how few clothes we had. It really is amazing to see what simple living can become when you realize what you actually need and what you can give away when someone is in dire need.
The amazing group coming down from SU tomorrow really quickly responded and is trying to bring down as much as they can to help out these communities. We are in contact with a lot of alums who are helping out with some of the relief efforts, and they are working really hard to get some of the basic things that these communities need. I know that one thing that is really lacking is money--which can buy potable water, help to build more permanent water systems, buy food, etc etc. If anyone wants to help out, the alums down here are setting up a donation site if anyone in the states wants to help out from afar. Once i find the website i will put it on here if anyone wants.

It is a crazy week here with the 85 casa alums here and the anniversary of the UCA coming up, and i have to go eat dinner and do some homework. I appreciate all the concern sent my way, and hope that now that you all know I am fine you will send your positive thoughts down to the people here who are not, who have lost houses or family members.

Hope you are all enjoying the NW rain, which is much less crazy. Good luck to everyone getting ready for the SOA protest, which I am very sad to be missing this year.
Peace & Love from El Salvador

:Sabine


PS
Here is the website for anyone who wants to help out with the disaster relief
http://friendsofsantamaria.blogspot.com/

I also have new pictures on my flikr as of late
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sabinetb/