Today was our first full day in El Salvador! We awoke at six o'clock, exhausted but eager to begin our work. We began our day with a breakfast of tortillas with salsa and beans, and a crowd pleaser…´yummy´ orange juice, and bananas.

We traveled an hour and a half into a planned community called Cideco. On the way we stopped along the road at one of the many roadside vendors where we got coconut water. It is a very important source of hydration and nutrients for the locals. When we arrived in Cideco we helped set up the pharmacy and a kids station and a donation room where we gave out many things such as toys, clothes, and shoes. The people that were there came for a medical clinic where they received treatment and free medications. Several of the families had to walk for an average of 17 km, approximately a six to eight hour walk. They were waiting at the entrance to the clinic, one hour before it actually opened. While there we divided into teams that helped with various activities. Some of us entertained the children with coloring books and face paint. And others helped with the sorting and counting of medications, and there were some of us that handed out donations to the patients. Also, a favorite of the girls was our handsome translator Otto who is a local Rotaractor. We really enjoyed our time there and we are looking forward to the medical clinic that we are working at in the coming days.

After our medical clinic was packed up and we said adios to our new friends, we took a short bus ride to a fish farm called Cantion San Froncisco el Porfiado. We were able to give out the remainder of our donations and others that our friend Gerardo brought with him. It was overwhelming giving out the donations to such a crowd but they were accepted graciously. We received a tour of the farm from the owner. We learned that he grows shrimp and tilapia. And that he traveled to Nebraska where he studied for seven years to learn his trade. We met his neighbors and saw some of the different ways that people live. We also enjoyed seeing the local animals such as dogs, cows, birds, and cats.

After we left the fish farm we wanted to go to the village where the people who live in Cideco came from, to see the contrast in the ways that they live. Unfortunately the night came faster than our bus could move. It was decided that it would too dangerous to be out at night. So another bus ride full of songs and laughter began again. We went to diner at an authentic Mexican restaurant where we were joined by some more Rotaractors such as Lombardo, Anna, and Interactors Luciana, and Doris. After, we headed to back to the hotel for some much needed rest.

Today, we were given a chance to become accustomed to the country and its people. We have grown to love El Salvador and look forward to the next 9 days immersed within it.

By Room 4 - Amanda Rose MacNaughtan, Caitlin Galster, Jody Nozetz, Kerri Vervoort