As of today we have been in El Transito in Usulutan for two weeks. Our goal for these first two weeks was to shadow in a sense, the OIKOS employees and figure out more about how the organization works. Monday to Friday since we've arrived we've been going around to different farms and areas that OIKOS works with and just observing. At times it has been really difficult with the language barrier but we've had our chance to practice Spanish to say the least! We've also needed to be flexible, easy-going and to get good at the waiting game.
We have learned a lot about the surrounding areas and the way the organization has benefitted local farmers. We have visited shellfish, papaya, maracuya and sweet pepper farms and seen the various greenhouses and irrigation systems that OIKOS has helped install. We've learned that OIKOS has a strong focus on sustainable agriculture, use of organic fertilizer and pesticides, maximizing profits for local farmers and helping them get their products to the formal or informal market.
We have also been lucky enough to go to the beach twice last weekend! Last Friday we visited Playa Espino after a short ride in a fishing boat from the mussel farms in Remolina. On the following Sunday we were staying in the city of San Salvador and visited Playa Trunca in the area of La Libertad. Both times we were super happy to be in the water after experiencing 38 degree weather for days on end.
Everyone we've met at OIKOS, and also their family members, have been extremely welcoming and made us feel very at home, despite communication being a challenge. We are anxious to work out the final details and start our actual UMANGOES project.
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