John Guiliano's Blog From the Tamarindo

Christmas 2011 Appeal Letter

2011-12-08T12:25:00.006-06:00

TAMARINDO FOUNDATION, INC.

Friends:

It will soon be Christmas. As I write to you, cool, dry winds are blowing in from the North, making Guarjila a dust bowl. My Ebenezer Scrooge is working hard on me - Christmas parties... Christmas stockings... Christmas events... Christmas kids... and a thousand Christmas questions. There are Christmas letters to be read and Christmas appeals to be written. I think to myself, not this again! Christmas. Christmas. Christmas. “BAH HUMBUG!”

Then, as I’m ready to toss Christmas out the window (even before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begins), my daughter, Rose, reminds me, “Dad, it’s the Tamarindo... it's the Tamarindo that gives... the Tamarindo gives Christmas.”

So I stop, breathe, and realize - the Tamarindo is a place that gives, not only on Christmas, but every day of the year.

I begin by reflecting on my own life and who I would be without the Tamarindo. This place and these people have been my education, inspiration, and direction since we began in 1992. They continue to feed and challenge my life. "It’s the Tamarindo that gives."

There are hundreds of students from around the world that can say the same thing - that the Tamarindo has changed their lives in profound ways. For St.Mary’s, St. Francis, Archbishop Mitty, Bishop Chatard, St. Pius X, DePauw, Xavier, Stanford, Lewis and Clarke, Creighton, UCLA, Harvard, Boston College, Notre Dame, Yale, Arizona State, Cal, Santa Clara (forgive me If I didn’t mention all the schools), the Tamarindo has been your living classroom. It was in that broken down, termite infested and sometimes leaky building in Guarjila where you began to think differently. It was there that you began to consider your own vocations and question your world. “It’s the Tamarindo that gives.”

How many of you were inspired here to change your course of study? How many vocational dreams were launched in your time living with the Tamarindos? Many of you took elements and principles learned in the Tamarindo back to your communities, bringing with you new energy and understanding to face the problems of poverty, ignorance and injustice. "It’s the Tamarindo that gives."

For parents, how many of you have written to thank the Tamarindo for the ways in which your children grew and changed while here? We have received so many notes thanking us for the gifts that your children took from here to become kinder, gentler, and more generous people. "It’s the Tamarindo that gives."

How many of you encountered a living faith in Guarjila for the first time? Was it here you first came to sit before the cross? Was it here in “community” during the breaking of the bread (or pupusa) where you began to consider God, church and hope for a better world? Was it amongst the campesinos (Gio, Jenni, Luis, Rosibel, Noemi) that you came to know the stories of the Jesuit martyrs, Archbishop Romero, and men and women of faith? "It's the Tamarindo that gives."

And I write for all the Tamarindos on this end - those that went to school or found a job. For those that learned to ride a bike... learned to read... learned to pray... learned to hit a slap shot... learned to think critically... learned to dream... learned to say thank you... learned how beautiful they truly are. "It's the Tamarindo that gives."

For all those that came on hard times and have needed a hand, the Tamarindo has been there. For the countless requests for medical consults, building materials, food, shoes, clothes or any needs – the Tamarindo door has always been open. "It's the Tamarindo that gives."

For all of us that have given of our time, money and inspiration to see that the Tamarindo continues to thrive - we know we have been given something back, something very special. Call it grace, joy or just a richer, fuller life, we are so grateful. “It’s the Tamarindo that gives.”

So now as we approach Christmas, I would like to invite you to take some time from your busy lives and reflect on the gift that the Tamarindo has been to you. I then hope you will consider giving a gift to the Tamarindo Foundation that will allow us to keep giving. Without you, nothing is possible.

Please make us part of your holiday.

On behalf of all of us here at the Tamarindo, thank you with all our hearts.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and holiday season,

John

P.O. Box 90404 Indianapolis, IN 46290-0404
www.tamarindofoundation.org

A Day in the Life of a Tamarindo

2011-10-09T19:12:00.002-06:00

A day in the life of a tamarindo –

Sundays consist of a community service project out in Guarjila and then mass is attended by the group. The evenings are reserved for a group meal, where the servers and those served switch off. Discussions and Reflections happen this evening, too.

Monday evening is IN HOUSE Service - work that needs done in the Tamarindo “Shop” (center) and the Tamarindo Garden, where necessary repairs and maintenance to make things last as long as possible are made.

Tuesday is spirituality night. The Gospel passage for the upcoming week is read and discussed or a talk about a particular Feast Day or saint is given.

Wednesday is a flex night to be used as needed.

Thursday is News Analysis (current events) and Sport night. The News Analysis program is where the smaller groups meet and choose an article from one of 3 newspapers and each group is required to lead a discussion with the entire Tamarindo Community. They all rotate through so each has its turn in presenting.

Friday Night is the long running Mandatory Organizational Meeting: This is where weekly goals are set and previous week’s goals are discussed. Often times there are critical topics that are relevant to the town that are discussed.

Saturday is a fun recreation night and might consist of games in the Tamarindo Garden or a group movie.

In addition, every day after school the “Shop” is flooded with kids looking to play and many others who need tutoring and help with homework.

Other times at the center include cultural event planning (each Easter the Tamarindo produces the Stations of the Cross for the Town and in it they highlight the social problems the town has faced in the past 12 months), workshops and seminars about problems the town is facing, individual leadership programs and health programs for women and the elderly. They also hold special events like karate classes, art classes and even gymnastics.

The Tamarindo Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A member of the council (made up of 6 tamarindo leaders) spends the night there every night so that it is available to people in the community who need to seek shelter in a safe and secure place. It requires the daily participation of the youth that keep it running every day. This place is living, breathing, teaching and always adapting to the ever-changing needs of Guarjila and the Tamarindos.

Mike Qualters' Ironman Campaign Results

2011-10-06T07:51:00.002-06:00

IRONMAN CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS!
By Tamarindo Foundation President, Mike Qualters

Even though the recent Ironman race has come and gone, your generosity will benefit the Tamarindo for months to come.

As many of you know, I participated in my first Ironman Distance Triathlon on August 28, 2011, in Louisville, Kentucky. While I've been doing Tri's for many years, this particular distance was a new challenge. The Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run. I was happy to dedicate the training, preparation and the race to the Tamarindos, a group who know a thing or two about hard work, difficult circumstances and perseverance.

A week before the race, an on-line campaign was created and advertised via e-mail and on the Tamarindo Foundation FaceBook Page - the race was on. In a little over 3 weeks, $6600 was raised.

Race day was amazing and I can't thank you enough for your support. The response to the fundraiser was tremendous and the number of you who followed my progress on-line throughout the race, and those who e-mailed, texted and called with well wishes, were all really appreciated.

A special thanks to a friend, Rich Doppelfeld, who followed me around the course and supplied updates and pictures to John Guiliano in El Salvador, who, while following along on-line, also created updates for everyone on FaceBook. I also wanted to give a big thank you to another friend, Steve Klipsch, who so generously donated a matching gift for the money raised; and finally, to the Tamarindos, who participated in their own Endurance Day in Guarjila and were with me in solidarity for all 140.6 miles. Thank you for inspiring me everyday.

Thank you again for all for your support in this event!

Fall Update from John

2011-09-29T11:00:00.001-06:00

We are about to take our hockey team to Guatemala for the Guatemalan National Championship Series. We are taking a very young team who have dedicated themselves to a rigorous month of preparation. They are disciplined and in excellent condition so they should do very well. For most of the guys it’s their first time out of the country; everyone is excited. We are trying to keep the gang focused and relaxed. The guys are so funny, everyone seems cool about playing but nervous about what snacks we’re buying for the trip.

I think the Guatemalan’s are intimidated......El Salvador is coming to town.

I want to thank Luis Lopez who has done a truly amazing job as team captain helping me prepare the team and get this trip underway. INDES (National Institute of Sport) has also been great helping with travel documents and transportation.

In addition to our games, I will be doing a three day clinic there with coaches focusing on player development and team strategy. We will also begin to discuss the creation of a Central American Hockey Union which will help each national federation develop the sport, create a partnership between all of us working in the game in the region, and hopefully create a Central American League where in the future the Central American champion could play in the Pan Am Games and Word Championships (huge goals).

After Guatemala, the crew (Luis, Gio, Cobra, Rosibel and Noemi) will take over in the Tamarindo as I begin a much needed mini-sabbatical. If you are looking you will be able to find me at johnguiliano@gmail.com. If not there maybe you will find me meditating inside of the Izalco Volcano, or walking the Golden Gate Bridge, or sitting at the oyster bar at the Union Oyster House, or discerning life before a Van Gogh at the Met but most likely I’ll be sitting down the third baseline at Yankee Stadium.

I am so grateful to all who have made our trip to Guatemala possible, without you nothing happens.

I’m also so thankful for your support of me (I know I am challenging sometimes). I thank you for all your prayers, love and support and look forward to hearing or seeing you soon (somewhere along the line). With great affection,

JG

Tamarindo Band History - by Tom Funk

2011-09-19T11:24:00.004-06:00

When asked about their rise to popularity, have you ever heard a popular artist, actor or public personality say something like: “I didn’t plan for this to happen, it just did!”? Have you ever wondered if it’s really true? Well, to the extent that the Tamarindo Band is popular, in our case, it is true. We didn’t plan for this to happen, it just did!

To trace our story, let’s go back to April, 2008. The Tamarindo Foundation was hosting its first “Coffee House Fundraiser” at Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis. Knowing that there were a large number of musicians (mainly amateur, but more on that later) with involvement in the Foundation, it was decided that we would provide our own entertainment. The “Tamarindo Band” was formed and played for what turned out to be the Foundation’s most successful fundraiser to date. Not that raising money is what the Tamarindo Band is exclusively about. It turns out that the Band members have great fun together, love to play together, and somehow magically transmit that feeling to its audience.

After that first fundraiser, we still didn’t consider ourselves “A Band” or anything that concrete. We were a collection of like-minded friends, family and musicians who occasionally came together and then dispersed to our regular lives.

As time went on, we were asked to play at more and more events. Typical gigs have included an evening at a few local bar/restaurants, birthday parties, high school faculty Christmas parties, parish fundraisers and, most recently, at a “Tune The Hall” performance at the world-class Palladium in Carmel, Indiana. We always pass on all of the income that we receive to the Foundation, which has totaled about $6,000.00 thus far. We like it that way.

A typical performance would include tunes from the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis, Jimmie Buffet, John Lennon, Willie Nelson, Wayland Jennings, Old Crow Medicine Show and a number of originals by Mary Sukup or John Funk. It is not unusual for folks to sing along and for the occasional guest artist to appear.

The Band is composed of:

Chris Dietrick - Acoustic and lead guitar; vocals.

Chris Funk - Percussion. Brother of Ryan Funk and cousin of John Funk.

John Funk - Acoustic and electric guitar; vocals; occasional percussion. Son of Tom Funk.

Mary Sukup - Acoustic guitar; lead vocals.

Mike Qualters (“Q”) - Lead vocals. Current president of the Tamarindo Foundation.

Ryan Funk - Acoustic guitar, vocals.

Tom Funk - Bass guitar, vocals.

Many of the band members have traveled to El Salvador and all except Mary Sukup, (who hails from Wyoming) are graduates of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis. None of the band members are professional musicians except for Mary Sukup, who has been a music teacher for many years and has performed in many venues. Our guest artists have included Jim Funk (father of Ryan and Chris and brother of Tom) and Dawn Sukup (daughter of Mary). At the Palladium in January of this year and at our first Coffehouse Fundraiser, we had the pleasure of being joined by singer/songwriter Liz Fohl who is living and performing in Los Angeles after attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

So the phenomenon of the Tamarindo Band really is something that “just happened” and continues to happen for the benefit of our friends in El Salvador and our fans here in central Indiana.

Agrochemicals in Guarjila and Their Danger to Our Community

2011-09-17T11:11:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, Fredi Maquina came to the Tamarindo shop limping and his face was as white as a ghost. He moved and spoke very slowly. He explained to me that he had been out in his bean field fumigating the crop with a back pack spray device and the chemicals had dripped down his back and burned the inside of his legs. The next day after working in the fields, Gio came into the shop with the same look as his brother; he was running a high fever, his eyes were somewhat closed and his speech was slurred.

We then contacted a poison specialist in San Salvador who told us to bring the guys in immediately. The brothers had been poisoned by a cocktail of agrochemicals used on their crops. The physician treated Fredi for his burns and ordered lab work on both guys.

Thank God both tested out fine and there was no damage to either liver or kidneys on this occasion. But every year hundreds of people in our communities get sick by the chemicals that they use to put food on the table. Annually, farm workers die here from exposure to agrochemicals.

The farmers use combinations of paraquat, atranex, hedonal, gramoxine and MTD 60 SL (among other things) for a variety of needs. They are used to remove grass and weeds as well as to kill pests and parasites. Talking to Gio about what he uses is like being in a chemistry class - it's "a spoon of this and then a little of that and then a cap full of that. This kills that...but you better be careful with that stuff because a cap of it will take out a whole tree." Gio, like the others, is an "expert", self taught in the fields.

Many of the above chemicals are without antidotes, and the warnings on the bottle mention heart, kidney, liver, esophagus and lung damage as well as cancer and birth defects as possible dangers. When I went to the store to research about the products, I found hundreds of warning labels tossed on the ground. Obviously the labels aren't being read.

It is interesting that all the chemical products prescribe the use of gloves, protective masks and boots as a requirement to avoid exposure to the danger of the product; all warn about the risk of both short and long term illness as well as death.

The macho culture we have here really plays a role in the negligence of the farmers (farmers like Gio and Fredi). So starting this weekend, we will begin a campaign in the TAMARINDO, making protective masks, gloves and boots available free of charge. (I found a guy that has donated masks and gloves).

Gio has already given one talk and will continue to spread the message about the serious dangers of using the chemicals. Both Gio and Fredi are fine but we need to make an effort to protect all the young kids from the adverse effects of the agrochemicals that they start toting around at a young age. We need to educate them of the dangers of the products that are potentially life-threatening.

Summer Intern Reflections

2011-08-29T21:31:00.017-06:00

Katy Strader with Tamarindos

I feel both excited and overwhelmed at the idea of attempting to write a final reflection on my short time with the Tamarindos. John said to me daily, “You simply cannot put us or this place in a box. We are constantly adjusting to the needs of this ever-changing community”. How do I find the words to describe the immense welcome, love and grace that each and every one of them showed me from the moment Douglas picked me up at the San Salvador airport on July 20th, until my last night in Guarjila, where we celebrated as a community my despedida? We were all hopeful that night saying “see you later”, rather than “goodbye”.

I admit that at first I had no idea what to expect of my time in Guarjila. However, slowly but surely, my role developed into exactly what it was supposed to be, and I was able to do what God intended me to do while I was there. He showed me that it did not mean my English classes at the middle, high school or Tamarindo would go perfectly smoothly. Or that regardless of the fact that Rafa, Jaime, and Carlitos came to the Tamarindo with their beautiful smiles, that life at home was far from it. Life in Guarjila, and especially at the Tamarindo, is a beautiful paradox that is both pleasantly surprising some moments and heart-breaking at others.

The prayer of St. Francis (…where there is hatred let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon, etc.) that is written on the wall of the Tamarindo reflects this irony that is everywhere in Guarjila – a place, along with much of the world, that is so burdened by abuse, dishonesty, and selfishness, but yet the Tamarindos try to go against what is normal here and do those things that are much more difficult – like love, respect, and serve others. We are all called to be a light in the darkness. The Tamarindos are the light for the community of Guarjila and they encouraged me to be a light in Indianapolis, at Depauw, and everywhere I go. Thank you, Tamarindos - you showed me peace, love, pardon, faith, hope, light, joy, consolation, and understanding.

Sarah Schrading with Ingrid and Ana

This past Summer I took a trip to Guarjila, El Salvador, with my dad for 2 weeks. I planned on doing some sort of travel this summer, and I also wanted to do a service project. I'm a high school student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a bunch of my friends were going on "service trips" to third world countries, where they would be doing hard labor like building schools and clinics. I asked my dad about these trips and his answer was that they were very expensive, and that we should just take a trip down to El Salvador and visit John Guiliano (My father and John worked together in El Salvador during the civil war). I agreed to go on the trip but I wasn't completely sure what I was getting into. When we arrived in Guarjila, I soon met the two Interns that had come from Stanford to work at the Tamarindo, and they showed me around the town. On my first day there, I already had countless amigos. One thing I quickly noticed was how little some people had, but I never heard them complain. I thought about my world back home and how many people spend $150 on designer jeans and consider the world completely over if they miss a party…

My trip to El Salvador opened my mind on a whole new level. I'd find myself waking up at 4:30 in the morning to go work on the Milpa with my friend Gio and his brothers, something I'd never do when I was back home. I was also given the opportunity to teach English in a school with Amy and Peter, the other interns. Teaching kids at school was funny because they were my age, and were the same people that I would joke around with in the evenings at the Tamarindo.

What I found is that the Tamarindo gives the people of Guarjila a chance to dream. Growing up, I remember always saying that I wanted to be a ballerina or a doctor. The Tamarindo gives the youth a sense of confidence, high hopes for the future, and ways to accomplish their dreams.

Even though I was only down there for two short weeks, I believe that any place where kids have recreation, encouragement, education, and opportunities, that the world would be a better place. I miss everyone dearly and talk to my friends about the Tamarindos constantly since being back home. But John repeatedly told me, "This is your community now, Sarah." And I think he is right. I hope to return to Guarjila and to work and be a part of the Tamarindo next summer for a longer period of time!

Peter Salazar

As I reflect, I’m forced to confront the reality, frustrating though it may be, that I didn’t complete any great or magnificent works during my month there. What work this gringo did is nothing compared to that which the conscientious individuals of Guarjila carry out in patience and solidarity every day. I realize, now, that it wasn’t my place to give and teach alone, but also to receive and learn, truly learn, what it is to live outside of myself. I hope that I may have planted a few seeds, but I am nonetheless humbled by the goodness of many in this town in the face of trials and adversity.

More than anything else, my stay taught me what it is to live outside of myself, to be truly concerned and attentive to the needs of others before my own. This was a thing that I learned from observing the work that is done here. That’s why the label of a “community organization” just doesn’t seem appropriate. The Tamarindo is the result of people loving and caring for others, and for that it is at the same time simpler and greater than any organization could ever become. John often spoke of the “revolution”, and only now do I think that I realize what it really means: the work of building the kingdom on earth cannot be left to a particular political or social ideology, but only to the simple and magnificent love of people for their brothers and sisters; in short, seeing the body of Christ in all of His people. This idea, not any organization, has the power to create a revolution in the world in which we live. I thank them for teaching me that, and I hope that I can aid them and your vision in the future.

It Is in Giving That We Receive

2011-08-23T13:26:00.003-06:00

I woke up this morning thinking about Niña Tancho. Her real name is Transito. An unusual name, even for here. She is always leading her many grandchildren and daughters to the Tamarindo. We sometimes joke, “It’s food night, the Tanchos will be here.” And sure enough, they are.

They rarely say anything. They are overly polite in the food line. They often (on the sly) fill a bag or two with food to bring home. We never say anything about it. Tancho and her daughter may come with five little ones but we know there are others at home waiting for their return. We know that what they get at the Tamarindo is probably all the food they might get until their next meal (or maybe until the next day).

You know, as "sophisticated" as Guarjila seems to be getting - with a highway coming, kids with new clothes (not to mention the slicked back hair), crazy new smart phones, Facebook and Twitter pages - there are still those in need, great need.

So there is Tancho, who almost weekly asks for $25 for food. She speaks really slowly and looks you straight in the eye. How could anyone say no?

But who is Tancho?

She is the first person to get up when a stranger walks into the room to greet them with a firm handshake or most probably a huge hug. She is the first person to get up after a community soup or spaghetti night to wash the huge metal pot we have (which is always burnt black from being used over the open fire).

She is the woman that spends her days not only caring for her own “challenging family”, but also the one who walks the town, house to house, visiting the sick and most in need.

She is the woman at community prayer who is not challenged by knowing who to pray for; she usually has a list of people she visited that day.

She is also famous at the Cerro Verde National Park, where she climbed a volcano barefoot (the Park Rangers were amazed at how she was able to do that).

She is the woman who believes when most of us just wonder.

There is a painting on one of our walls which says, “It is in giving that we receive...”

As the oldest Tamarindo (no one really knows her age), Niña Tancho is the woman that gives. And hopefully from all of us, she gets something in return.

Tamarindo Band Fundraiser at the Claddagh Pub!

2011-08-22T19:53:00.003-06:00

The Tamarindo Cover Band (Mary Sukup, Chris Dietrick, Tom Funk, Mike Qualters, Chris Funk, JT Funk, Alexa Sifuentes, Ryan Funk), composed of board members and those who love the Tamarindos, played last Friday at the Claddagh in Indianapolis.
It was a fun night at an outdoor venue with great music, food, and friends of the Tamarindo and they were able to raise money!
Thanks to all who donated and sang along to the classic songs! :)

Mike Qualter's Ironman Fundraiser

2011-08-22T10:04:00.001-06:00

Mike Qualters, president of the foundation, is doing an IRONMAN this upcoming weekend to raise money for the Tamarindos! Click the link below if you'd like to make a donation and see his campaign! What a great thing to do - a 140 mile triathlon!

http://www.imathlete.com/donate/MikeQualtersIronmanForTheTamarindoFoundationInc?z=1314028589861

Sports Save Lives

2011-08-16T20:18:00.004-06:00

We received the news that Mauricio Funes, President of El Salvador, will begin a draft into the military for kids ages 16+ that are at risk of falling into gangs. He will begin this program looking for 5000 recruits in 25 counties that are most effected by gangs.

I’m concerned that we are falling back into the days when the army would stop buses and pull “strong looking boys” off the buses and send them off to the military barracks (“you are in the army now”)....without even contacting their families.

What set of criteria will they use? What constitutes a potential gang member? Someone with a tattoo or a piercing? A kid who is just hanging out on a corner?

When will this "solution" spread to places like Guarjila? How many of our kids will be taken away as they will be judged to be a potential public safety problem? (I’m sure a few of my hockey players could be judged by authorities to be a threat to society)

This news motivates me more to create the new Tamarindo Center where we will engage kids 24 hours a day if necessary. Sport can change a life!

As all this news comes in, our “kids” continue to prepare for a series of hockey exhibitions in San Salvador and a date with the Guatemalan National Inline hockey team. (Margaret Miller and the students at St. Francis have been so generous, helping us get new skates for our players).

What we do may seem small and insignificant, but sports are a powerful tool. I know that it can pull kids off the street at night. I know it can keep them away from a joint, a bottle, or a needle. I know it can motivate kids to aspire to greater things. I know it can make a kid that hates himself find self worth.

So when it’s night time in Guarjila and the authorities are in search of new recruits, let them follow our kids to the Tamarindo. Let them see what can be done. Let them know that kids at risk have an alternative to a military barracks, a penitentiary or the cemetery.

Please pray with me today for these kids in El Salvador (the one’s that look good, and the one’s with tattoos), and let’s pray for the resources to build a new Tamarindo Center. These kids need us.

With great thanks,

jg

Pray for Fr. Dean Brackley, SJ

2011-08-16T20:00:00.003-06:00

Friends,

I just received a note about Fr. Dean Brackley, SJ, who was diagnosed
with cancer in his liver. Dean is a Jesuit priest at the UCA who came here in
1990 after the murder of the Jesuits at the University. What good thing can’t be said about him? What hasn’t he done?

He is theologian...writer....spiritual director....retreat
master...pastor...inspiration...public speaker...community
organizer....priest...friend. He is so many things to so many people.

He will be receiving treatment here in El Salvador and his doctor says he can be treated. I know that cancer isn’t a death sentence. I know that Dean will continue to
be a witness to life and to love, as he has done so year after year (in El
Salvador, the South Bronx, and other places).

I ask that our Tamarindo Community around the United States pray with
Dean....for holy indifference, as St. Ignatius would say, “... not
preferring health to sickness, riches to poverty, honor to
humiliation, long life to a short one.” May he be given the grace to
continue his witness and to be given the strength to deal with
whatever special circumstances that may come his way.

With Confidence We ASK

2011-08-12T14:01:00.003-06:00

Last night we reflected on the persistence of a woman. She had a sick daughter and went to Jesus and begged for his help. The companions of Jesus felt that this women was very annoying and they wanted to send her off. Despite the difficulty, she kept asking. Eventually, her cry was heard and her daughter was healed. It's a beautiful story about the persistance to keep asking.

Jaime said that he felt that the beauty of the story was that she wasn't asking for herself but for her daughter. It made me think of Fr. Dean Brackely who is struggling with cancer and writes to all of us to pray for the people of Somalia.

Then Luis brought up the story of our very own Dr. Carlos Alfaro (who is an orthopedic surgeon). When scholarships were made available to study abroad to study medicine, Carlos went everyday to the office where the scholarships were being administered. I don't think the secretary liked him (nor the scholarship committee); he couldn't even get in the door. But everyday he went; and everyday he was told, "NO". The first year went by and he was rejected. The second year he continued - this kid went everyday. He asked and asked. Finally, the director granted him the scholarship (he probably just wanted to get him out of the country at that point)! Because he persisted, today he is a doctor.

So what's the point here? Under this tin roof (our crumbling Tamarindo Shop), we have the confidence to ask for help... we need God and each other. We are not deterred by difficulty, failure, fear, trouble. We are like that woman who kept asking. We will keep asking... and keep working, keep loving, keep creating, keep giving.

.

Thoughts on Mediocrity

2011-08-08T11:03:00.002-06:00

Yesterday at 5:30am, our hockey team loaded the truck with bags of equipment, sticks, goals and all other necessary "stuff" we need for our workouts. It's not easy moving a whole hockey team for a trip to the city, but it's something we do every week because we want to play and we want to get better. By 6:20am, with all our gear loaded, we filled up our bus with players and managers and we were on our way to San Salvador's National Sports Palace for practice.

When we arrived two hours later, we learned that we had been bumped from the facility for the HSBC International Table Tennis Tournament (meaning no practice for the national team yesterday). So we climbed back onto the bus and started to head back home when we were stopped by the police.

The cop wanted to know where we had gone (he saw us on the other side of the road on the way in earlier that morning) and wondered where we were headed with two hockey nets on a Saturday morning. After I explained the whole hockey-table tennis mix up, he began asking me questions: "So no practice today coach? No big deal for you right? They pay you the same if you practice or not?"

No practice....they pay the same. I was troubled by those questions he posed, and so began a morning reflection on living in the realm of the mediocre.

Obviously for that officer, what he does, or how he does it, really doesn't matter to him. Eight hours (or ten or twelve) of work are just that - hours to work, time to be filled. What seemed more important for that mediocre cop was his salary; not his performance. A good job or a bad job brings in the same result.

So the same goes for a mediocre athlete - having practice or not, training to get better, winning or losing, has little importance. Similarly, a grade of an A or a C is the same for the mediocre student. For mediocre governments or political systems - providing the basics is enough; with little room for the soul, for beauty, for creativity, for real human development. In other words, just do the minimum. Fill your quota. Do just what you have to do. Just get "it" done are the mottos of those who chose to be mediocre.

Here is the essential problem we face in Guarjila, in the rest of this country (and in many places around the world) - institutions and people who have no real investment in their jobs or how they do them. To them, a job is a job, a shift is something to "get through." The only question asked is, “What's in it for me?”

In the Tamarindo, one of our goals has to be to destroy this culture of mediocrity. Kids can't just show up here to fill their weekly obligations. A body in a seat just isn't enough. The Tamarindo isn't a "drop in center". It's a group of people, a community, committed to changing themselves, each other, their town, their country...and the world.

Here we have more than just a responsibility to show up. Here we are required to give of ourselves and commit to excellence. Here, "love is the measure," and success is equated by one's ability to be generous.

So we thank that cop for this week’s reflection point. Yes, it does matter if we practice or not. Yes, it does matter what we do and how we do it. And yes, being a Tamarindo means that we always strive to be more than just mediocre, but rather strive to give our BEST.

Peter Salazar's Reflection on the Tamarindos

2011-08-05T09:08:00.001-06:00

Spending the last month in the constant company of the Tamarindos, I find myself thinking a lot about the true nature of what we in the States so loosely call an “organization”. Whenever I begin to tell anyone about my time spent there, I find that the only way to give them a satisfactory answer is to say that I was working (or even, I shudder to think, “interning”) at a community organization that provides opportunities for disadvantaged youth. And the people are generally happy with that explanation, and continue along their merry way with the thought that someone they know was helping the poor in a backwards, Central American country. And yet it greatly saddens me to do this, since it doesn’t even come close to being able to explain my stay. That month spent amongst you was much more than my giving my time as a teacher or organizer. The true value of those days, I have come to realize, lies in the time spent – though it was much too short – living in your midst, growing closer in friendship and understanding with people of a background radically different from my own.

As I reflect I’m forced to confront the reality, frustrating though it may be, that I didn’t complete any great or magnificent works during my month there. What work this gringo did is nothing compared to that which the conscientious individuals of Guarjila carry out in patience and solidarity every day. I realize, now, that it wasn’t my place to give and teach alone, but also to receive and learn, truly learn, what it is to live outside of myself. I hope that I may have planted a few seeds, but I am nonetheless humbled by the goodness of many in this town in the face of trials and adversity.

Before I left, I asked John a question that had been bouncing around in my head for a good part of the month, namely, why it is that he had never expanded the Tamarindo to other locations in an effort to spread its benefits elsewhere. To an extent, I think that I now understand why it hasn’t, and why the Tamarindo wasn’t a foundation from the start. More than anything else, my stay taught me what it is to live outside of myself, to be truly concerned and attentive to the needs of others before my own. This was a thing that I learned from observing the work that is done here. That’s why the label of a “community organization” just doesn’t seem appropriate. There is no faith here in the apparatus of an organization and its ability to attain funding or expand. The Tamarindo is the result of people loving and caring for people, and for that it is at the same time simpler and greater than any organization could ever become. John often spoke of the “revolution”, and only now do I think that I realize what it really means: the work of building the kingdom on earth cannot be left to a particular political or social ideology, but only to the simple and magnificent love of people for their brothers and sisters, in short, seeing the body of Christ in all of his people. This idea, not any organization, has the power to create a revolution in the world in which we live. I thank you for teaching me that, and I hope that I can aid you and your vision in the future.

Love,
Peter Salazar

Quitters Never Win and Winners Never Quit

2011-08-04T19:29:00.002-06:00

Companions,

At last night’s weekly Friday night meeting, we discussed the difference between winning and losing (in life, studies, work, family and sport). And it all came down to giving up or pushing through.

It was just a few days ago when I watched three women quit during a soccer game. They just stopped playing. They were behind by a score of 3-1 with a half still to play and just walked off the field.

There was something really disturbing for me about watching that happen - as if it was just ok for them to give up - as if it was out of habit - things get tough, walk away.

What was it that made them give up so easily? Was it that same voice in the heads of many of our kids who frequently give up so easily? The ones who hear: “You can’t...” “Why try?” “You must be kidding, ...” “Loser.” “You’re from Guarjila, what can you do?”

I have seen it many times before. Things get started with good intentions but then are left behind out of laziness, fear, apathy, not enough support, or lack of self-confidence. Kids quit teams; community projects are started and then just left unfinished; dreams never take root... Life goes on from a street corner, but without the feeling of accomplishment or self-love, waiting for another day to end.

So we asked the question last night - What is the difference between winning and losing? The Tamarindos’ response was: preparation, discipline, love, sacrifice, attitude, hard work. This is what it takes to be a winner.

I once read somewhere that, “The difference between the winner and the loser is the winner’s willingness to do the things the loser refuses to do.” So we refuse to accept “losing” here in the Tamarindo. We reject others’ sympathy or any excuse to not try. We reject the labels given to us like poor, disadvantaged, third world, second rate....

We decide that we won’t make excuses. We stand up. We sweat. We work harder. We study harder. We play harder. We do all that we are capable of doing to win – in school, on the field, at home, as a Tamarindo.

Like Phil Pepe (a sports writer) found on a locker room wall, “Quitters never win and winners never quit;” we refuse to quit, although sometimes the clock will run out on us, and sometimes the score will be against us. Bien. We go on. And we come back for another day as winners.

Time to Build the Kingdom

2010-11-04T18:45:00.000-06:00

Here it is cool and “fall” like. We have had a sudden weather changeand it has been a shock to the agriculture of the region. The rainjust ended….weeks before it was supposed to. People watch as theirbeans just dry out by both wind and October sun. Life of thefarmer…..life in Latin America (live today because disaster alwayslurks around the corner). Now the weather “experts” say we will be struck with the effects oftwo hurricanes colliding somewhere, which will bring twenty days ofrain and wind. All predict disaster is coming. It is such a fear thatthe school is doing final exams next week and will close for the yearbefore the rains begin. Does anyone have experience at arc building?Does anyone know how long “300 cubits by 50 cubits by 30 cubits” is? Today my co-worker Luis Lopez left at 4:30 am for his audience withthe US embassy (it seems all journeys from El Salvador begin in thedark). A trip to the embassy is reminiscent of a trip to see theWizard of Oz. When Luis is called he will enter a room with mirrorsfor walls. He will slide his VISA application, passport and TamarindoFoundation letter (signed by our very own chairmen of the board Mr.Bud Frutkin) into a hole in the wall as a voice (the Wizardhimself?)” will begin to ask him questions. Imagine this voice coming from out of the glass, serious andefficient with no wasted emotion (like a scene from a Stanley Kubrickfilm); “What is your motive for traveling to the United States of America?” “How much money do you have in the bank?” “Do you own property?” “Who is this Bud Frutkin guy…? “ The “Wizard” doesn’t miss a trick. We hope that it will go well and wecan send him north on the 25th of October. His journey to four USstates will have five goals (with an extra three for fun): 1) invite new people to become part of our Tamarindo Community(organize local events, find new interns for the summer of 2011,discover new support in every creative way possible)2) meet and energize all of you on your home turf3) inspire much needed financial support4) enjoy the experience of being with all of you5) say thank you from all of us (for all that you do)6) skate on ice7) see an NHL hockey game8) in California visit the house of John Fogherty (Credence Clearwater Revival) The Tamarindo Community goes well with much emphasis these days oncommunity life and reflection. The work of analysis, understandingand prayer is paramount to everything that we do. We just completed afabulous theatrical presentation “The Voice of God: Calling Us”.Special effects included a chain saw, a mini forest and a lovelyperformance by David Petete as God. The central theme was ourresponsibility in “God’s Revolution”……building the kingdom. Thequestion to our community was; What are YOU doing today to build the“New Society” (change the world) ?

Wellness in Guarjila

2010-07-10T20:12:00.000-06:00

Wellness in Guarjila

Over the past couple of months my morning hours have been occupied
with many visit from mom’s and dad’s who come to the office just to
talk about stress related issues. Many of the issues are related to
the fear of the new highway and losing their homes, economics, health
care concerns, and some depression related to children being so far
away in the Unites States. According to Dr. Dagaberto he is also
seeing the same kind of issues with his patients in the clinic here in
Guarjila.

This has led us to develop with Santos Alfaro spaces for adult
recreation and exercise. The programs include walking, hiking,
swimming, indoor soccer and exercise classes which are being made
available to all adults in Guarjila. There is no question how
important these programs will become as part of an overall wellness
program for the people of this town. Like in the US there are still
skeptics that would still prefer expensive prescription medicine to
exercise and diet. We hope individual success will inspire others to
try on “wellness”.

Organic Food

2010-07-05T21:11:00.000-06:00

Organic Food

In the past, April in Guarjila was all about preparing the land for
the planting of corn. April conversation was centered on when would
the rain begins so the work could begin. This year there seems very
little movement toward the land. Every year it seems that less and
less people are growing their own food. Luis Lopez told me he thinks
that only 50 % of the population in Guarjila will actually grow their
own food this year. This of course will have tremendous impact not
only on the health and well being of our people but will have a
tremendous effect on the culture of what was once campesino and rural.
It has become clear that the youth have little affinity to the land
which their mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters fought and died
on. There is also little appreciation for the agriculture of their
parents.

Our response to this has been to create an organic gardening space
here in the Tamarindo where Tamarindo’s can grow food, learn about
organic farming and even have fun doing it. The community has been
organized into four teams which will grow organic vegetables. The
teams will compete for the next five months, the length of the growing
season.

Weather permitting the organic farming groups will be able to come to
the Tamarindo and work the garden at night under lights. Each team has
been given the same area to farm. Each team will also receive the same
seeds. The only rule is to use no chemical fertilizers or
insecticides. We have asked experienced members of the community to
come and give us technical advice and other assistance. Prizes will be
awarded at the end of the growing season to each team. Tamarindo hands
are going back into the soil.

We Invite You to Help Us Plant Trees

2010-06-28T17:10:00.000-06:00

We Invite You to Help Us Plant Trees

In response to the highway destruction which will soon happen all
around us we in the Tamarindo have decided to start a reforestation
project with the people of Guarjila. It is our goal to plant 1750
trees (a tree for every person in Guarjila) over the summer months
inviting every sector of the community to get involved and plant
trees. We will also incorporate all our summer volunteers/interns as
well as our summer groups from California. With the help of our
community council we will begin to purchase trees over the next few
weeks.

We also want to announce this campaign to all our friends and friends
of the environment. We would like to give you the opportunity to be a
part of our project by sponsoring a tree. Each tree sponsorship will
be $5 which will guarantee the purchase of a tree and it’s planting
here in Guarjila or in the hills that surround us.

We will be planting wood bearing trees (for construction and cooking
fuel) in the hills and fruit trees for family plots inside the
community. The highway construction will eliminate thousands of trees
so we invite you to stand with us and plant.

The Highway to Divide Guarjila

2010-06-13T20:09:00.000-06:00

The Highway to Divide Guarjila

Our big issue these days and (months) has been the construction of
this major highway that will link Chalatenango with Morazán. There are
already two major highways that run east to west, the Pan American
highway (Pan Americano) which stretches across the middle of the
country, and the Southern Highway (“Carretera El Literal”) which runs
along the southern coast. Now we see the beginning of the northern
highway being built with Millennium Funds from the United States which
is being called “La Longitudinal del Norte”. Our argument here is not
if the road should be built. The road will unquestionable benefit the
region and is a necessary part of development. The issue here is why
it has to be built right through Guarjila.

We have exhausted ourselves in meetings and conferences with
representatives from the Salvadoran government and private business.
We have heard promises about the benefits to Guarjila. We have seen
slick presentations showing the “new” Guarjila. Bottom line is the
road is coming. A road which will divide the Guarjila we know, take
out many houses (maybe my own), make walking in Guarjila a hazard for
elderly and children, and finally destroy thousands of trees which
Guarjila and El Salvador desperately need.

Summer Visitors

2010-06-06T20:15:00.000-06:00

Summer Visitors

We just said goodbye to students from Lewis and Clarke College who
have committed to supporting our Community Wellness program next year.
Next summer we will also welcome interns from that college who will
come here on a Project for Peace grant.

We are also waiting on summer interns that will come from Stanford
University as well as St. Mary’s High School. They will be involved in
programs which will include gymnastics, art, music, swimming, English
instruction and youth and adult literacy.

In a week Dick Howard will be returning to us with Mitty High School.
The Mitty trip will include our annual visit to La Palma where the
Tamarindo/Mitty Soccer Cup will be played for once again. This is a
traveling trophy which has spent the year in California after the
Tamarindo/Mitty victory over La Palma in 2009. The Cup is won with a
combined score from both women and men’s soccer games. The
Tamarindo/Mitty teams are combined teams and it has been fun to watch
the Mitty student’s team up with Tamarindo’s to play very competitive
La Palma teams. This year’s men’s team will be organized by Santos
Alfaro and our women’s team will be led by Evelyn Henriquez. This year
will be the eighth addition to this wonderful rivalry.

Following Mitty High School we will receive Margaret Miller and St.
Francis High School. I had the opportunity to meet the incoming
students and their parents from St. Francis in the spring. They seem
real excited about coming and we are excited they are coming. We hope
to invite St. Francis parents to Guarjila in the fall.

Hockey….Hockey….Hockey

2010-06-02T20:13:00.000-06:00

Hockey….Hockey….Hockey

At this writing the Chicago Blackhawks are leading the Philadelphia
Flyers 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals. We are also in our playoff
hockey season as four teams remain in the battle for the Tamarindo
Cup. All of your favorite players Luis, Gio, Carlos and Cobra all are
leading their teams into the semi-final round.

What this hockey season and those older players have created is a
remarkable interest in hockey in the kids here in Guarjila. We now
have groups of kids that practice daily at 4 pm and that hour has
become a very important “school” for us. As Bud Frutkin once wrote,
“no study…no soccer”. Well that idea has been expanded; No
responsibility…No commitment…..No respect…..No community service…No
Hockey.

Parents have been very grateful for what hockey is doing to facilitate
change in attitudes of their kids. For some kids like Capu, it’s the
only thing that he thinks about all day. That’s fine but he needs to
be responsible in every other area to qualify for practice at 4 (he is
never late).

It has been wonderful to see this ‘new’ commitment by young kids to
play which in turn is bringing them to new levels of growth as people.

Tropical Storm Agatha

2010-06-02T15:30:00.005-06:00

Hello to all,

Notes from Guarjila..................

Tropical Storm Agatha

Life in El Salvador continues on. I guess it was something that I
learned and observed during the war. No matter how bad things can get
here, people keep moving forward. This week we suffered another blow;
Agatha.

It rained for at least five days non stop. When the rain ended
yesterday nine people had died, thousands had been evacuated from
their homes, roads and bridges had been destroyed and the president
had declared a national alert.

The president of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes, said that if the rain
continued through Monday, the country would have fallen into a major
disaster (thank God it stopped). The already challenged (and in some
cases non existent) infrastructure could not withstand one more drop.

Today as the sun shines over the rain soaked mountains there are still
families without homes, no land to farm, an infrastructure that is
badly beaten up and a good intentioned president who needs to figure a
way to relocate families to safety and come good on his many promises.
This is a country in need.

But what is amazing as the rain ends today, the sides of mountains
are filled with men and women planting corn seeds, planting the crop
which will feed them for another year. Undeterred by natural disaster,
war and what ever else may happen, seeds continue to be planted for
tomorrow. That is El Salvador.

Just a couple of notes on the storm. The many families that we are
working with at the Costa del Sol were all evacuated over the weekend
but today will return home. Here in Guarjila there was no damage to
homes or property. In the northern zone of Chalatenango we did see the
destruction of a large piece of the Sumpul River Bridge. The bridge
links the communities of northwest Chalatenango (Guarjila, Ellacuria,
San Jose las Flores with Nueva Trinidad and Arcatao). It was the
bridge that Jon Cortina built during the war. The swirling, rushing
water took out a chunk of the bridge. At the apex of the storm the
water rose two meters above the bridge. Currently vehicle crossing is
impossible but foot traffic is permitted. Critical public
transportation across the zone (Arcatao to Chalatenango) is now being
accomplished by relay. Buses from the north of the bridge are running
to the foot of the destruction at the Sumpul while other buses on the
Las Flores side meet the people crossing on foot and complete the run
to Chalatenango.

I can only imagine Fr. Jon Cortina (who reconstructed that bridge
during the war) seeing the destruction of this weekend. Jon had the
vision of a bridge that would link our communities with the capacity
to handle big trucks and buses, to not only move people but also
material to build. I guess Jon would say (with a huge smile….cigarette
in hand),”well it didn’t fall”. Then he would organize the
communities to reconstruct the broken section. The responsibility is
with the communities. Have no doubt it will be rebuilt.

March Letter to the Foundation

2010-03-09T16:51:00.000-06:00

Dear Team:

Despite having a frustrating few days without phone and internet it’s actually and very peaceful and beautiful morning here. Feels like lent; hot and dry with the rising sound of cicadas (which are called chichara here). As we get closer to Easter they will grow in volume and intensity.

As I am just getting to emails (three weeks worth), I have appreciated the notes about Carl Arnold. Needless to say he has done so much for us and I hope that we can do something for him. I have asked the Tamarindo’s to pray for him and this Sunday we will have a special intention for him and his family at our community mass. We also want to say how sorry we are for Pat’s loss. We also pray for her and her family. I don’t imagine there is a day in which Pat doesn’t pray for all of us and the people of Portillo. She is now in our prayers and hearts.

One Month in Solidarity with Haiti

It’s funny to live on this side of the fence sometimes. It’s seems we are always the one’s doing the asking; but for us. A scholarship here, a hockey stick there, a radio transmitter, whatever; we ask and you give to us with such generosity. For 35 seconds on January 12 Haiti suffered that extraordinary disaster, and all of us changed. For the Tamarindo it was time to stop asking for “me” but start asking for “them”.

On our side of the fence we watched the news, prayed, discussed what we saw and decided to do something about it.

Most of the Tamarindo’s don’t or can’t remember the years of war here or the three major earthquakes (1986, Jan. 2001/ Feb 2001) but they really did see and feel (as Romero would say…”Sentir con la Iglesia”) the people of Haiti.

From January 13 to February 28 we educated ourselves, walked the town educating others and asked the people of Guarjila to give in anyway they could. Some gave money, others rice and beans, others their time and energy.

Luis Lopez first put together a power point presentation which was presented to the Tamarindo’s and their families. People didn’t need much convincing to want to help. Then we presented to the pastoral team and the community council. We then devised a plan of action which all sectors of Guarjila would be involved in various fund raising activities in Guarjila.

Our Tamarindo’s and youth of Guarjila began by collecting money door to door in special Solidarity With Haiti Cans (which had a photo of “hands reaching toward heaven:”….designed by Luis). We also sold spaghetti dinners, thousands of tamales, fried yucca, pupusas, ran soccer tournaments, played games, raffled soccer balls and bicycles, sang and danced…..

This week will be sending $1000 to the Jesuit Refugee Service for their work with people of Haiti. It’s like a beautiful Salvadoran song from the war, “When the poor BELEIVE in the poor we can proclaim freedom…..”

Facing Crime with Love

As many of you know we have had a crime wave in Guarjila over the past few months. Houses have been robbed (including my own) as well as the telephone wires. The phone company refuses to replace them (I guess after six or seven robberies they too have lost their patience). What’s frustrating is that the “crime” is really being perpetrated by 6 or 8 kids from Guarjila.

We decided to first pray for these kids by name in public places; I mean everywhere, at mass, at Tamarindo meetings. I even have a sign on my front door (which is still smashed in from a rock from the last time they came to rob me). The sign says; “Greetings Antonio, Fausto, Leonel, Luis, Alex, Marvin, Carlos, Herbert….God is watching you……He loves you…..He wants you to change…..Take what you want…..Your life is worth so much more than anything that I have…..”

We then decided to ask the “gang” to organize their friends to make music and art, and they did. We now have two new groups in Guarjila, “Rebel Youth” which has become an artisan group and “Alternative Liberation” which has become a rock band.

Last week we realized our first “collective activity”| with the youth of Tamarindo, St. Mary’s High School, Rebel Youth and Alternative Liberation. It was sort of a rock/art night with music and dancing. It was really more than that. It was a night where kids who usually spend their nights outside of doors looking in came inside. The Rebel Youth were also able to sell their art (beaded jewelry, tie die shirts and bandanas, hats etc.)

It was amazing how wonderful the Tamarindo space seemed that other night; inclusive. Simply a place of love. We look forward to another rock/art night when Bishop Chatard comes to town next week.

For the record we haven’t had any incidence of crime (at least from that band) since we began our “initiative”.

Rosibel Orellana Director of Social Ministry/ Ariel is Now in School

I just wanted to say a word about having Rosibel on staff. She has an amazing relationship with the people of this town. She seems to know where every problem is; who is sick, who is in need, who is suffering, who needs a friend. She directs the Tamarindo’s to our weekly community service... She played a very key role in our month in solidarity with Haiti, running most of the fund raising programs and really pushing all of us in a great direction.

She also works as a special need educator in Guarjila. She works very hard to see that children and young adults in Guarjila live with dignity and joy. Many of you may know Ariel the little brother of Jessica and Erica. He has cerebral palsy and right now is in a wheel chair. Last week he started school in Guarjila and is the first Guarjila student to attend school in a wheel chair. Now that is amazing…… He cried last Saturday when they told him there wasn’t school any school on Saturday. Share in our joy, Ariel is in kindergarten.

For the record, Rosi was a huge part of the Tamarindo victory over St. Mary’s High School in softball last weekend. Hopefully she will have a great game against Chatard…. (now if President Mike Qualters was in town, would he play for Chatard or the Tamarindo?)

President Funes and the Road Through Guarjila

President Mauricio Funes visited Guarjila a couple of weeks ago. He was met by a supportive crowd despite the presence of a lone European protestor and a hand full of his companions who held signs that said, “Funes Has Sold Out”. In the latest Prensa Grafica poll President Funes enjoys a 73% national approval rating for his first nine months in office. Our Guarjila President Tino Guardado Menjivar presented President Funes with a signed petition from the community asking him not to approve the construction of a four lane highway which will run through the center of Guarjila. The road has currently been approved. It was also discovered that three Guarjila families have been paid by the construction companies to “sell” the project to the town.

President Funes told the people of Guarjila that he would not and will not approve any project that will compromise the integrity of Guarjila. Let’s hope that this is one promise President Funes will keep.

President Tino Guardado Menjivar

Our Guarjila President Tino Guardado is suffering from some sort of heart condition. Last week he went into a seizure and was rushed to the hospital. Despite having this emergency condition he was given an appointment with a cardiologist for June. This week Guarjila’s own cardiologist Dr. Jaime Rodil will be in Guarjila where we hope he will be able to assess Tino’s condition and work with the Tamarindo Foundation to find Tino the help he needs as soon as possible. Tino is 29 years old and deserves a chance at a long and productive life. Santos Alfaro has become the active Guarjila President while Tino recovers. Please pray for him.

Team Canada and Tamarindo Hockey

There really isn’t any connection between us and Team Canada I just thought it would get your attention. We are currently in our hockey season with over 65 players in three divisions. We have 24 players playing in our “elite division”. We will be going to San Salvador to play an exhibition match before the Minister of Sport in April as part of our growing relationship with the National Institute of Salvadoran Sport. We have already been recognized by that body as an example of a sports program with a community development/education component, which is the focus of the new sports minister, Jaime Rodriquez.

*WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF HOCKEY STICKS….IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO SPONSOR STICKS PLEASE ASK

Girls Soccer 11 and Under

This week we will begin a new indoor soccer program for girls under 11. The program will be run by Evelyn Enriquez and Kenia Dubon. The team will develop a girls only program focused on self esteem building, positive role models, and healthy minds and bodies. This week the team is recruiting girls in the community and the first session will begin next Monday night.

Tamarindo Theatre/The Way of the Cross in Guarjila

We have already begun preparing the Way of the Cross in Guarjila, which is our annual stage presentation in Guarjila. We hope to incorporate youth and adults from every sector of the community, including members of the Guarjila Pastoral team, Team Indiana, Rebel Youth, Alternative Liberation and the Tamarindo.

We will focus on the suffering, liberation and resurrection of Christ by looking at life in Guarjila in 2010 (stations will treat suicide, domestic violence, drug addiction, environmental desecration, among other critical community issues)

This really is one of the biggest community events of the year with usually over 1000 people in attendance.

Thirtieth Anniversary of the Assassination of Oscar Romero

On March 24 the world community will join El Salvador in remembering Oscar Romero thirty years after his martyrdom. We will be sharing that special day with Bishop Chatard (how fortunate for them to have this day). We are still planning but we hope to attend the solemn mass at the Divine Providence Hospital in the morning and then perhaps make a pilgrimage to El Mozote and spend the day there. It should be an extraordinary celebration as the world will be coming to town.

Final Note

As we move deeper into Lent we realize that God’s invitation for us here never ends. Like the Tamarindo itself the door remains open but the commitment is inside. Let us enter that door and make a commitment to building a community of love.

March Calendar

2010-03-01T16:59:00.000-06:00

March 6th
St. Mary's Delegation Departs

March 8th
Organization Meeting discussing Theater, Hockery, and the Girls Program

March 9th
Hockey Night

March 10th
Reflection Night - Lent
Hockey

March 11th
Community Mass
Community Dinner

March 12th
Friday Night Meeting

March 13th
Football School
La Laguna
Hockey

March 15th
Organization Night discussing Theater and Chatard Delegation
Assembly for Girls under 11

March 16th
Hockey Night

March 17th
Reflection Night - Lent
Hockey

March 18th
Community Mass
Community Dinnder
Prepare for Chatard Delegation

March 19th
Chatard Arrives
Dinner Meeting

March 20th
Children's Soccer

March 21st
Community Service
Mass
Sumpul
Salvadoran Culture Night - Cooking

March 22nd
Maryknoll Sisters
Rutilio Grande
Pool
Music & History Night

March 23rd
Jesuits
Romero
Music Night

March 24th
Romero Mass
Morazon

March 25th
Beach Day

March 26th
Chatard Departs
Tamarindo Meeting

March 27th
Theater
Hockey Night

March 28th
Leadership Retreat
Mass
Assembly for Girls under 11
Theater

March 29th
Organization Meeting evaluating Chatard Delegation

March 30th
Theater
Hockey

March 31st
Theater

Planchita / Escuela de Futbol Tamarindo Report

2010-02-15T17:21:00.000-06:00

Planchita/ Escuela de Futbol Tamarindo Report
January- February

- We currently are working with 60 students in the Sports School
8 to 20 years old

-We are organized into 4 classes or groups divided by ages and ability

-Currently we are working with five coaches; myself, Arnulfo Dubon, Luis Lopez, Juan Guiliano and Miguel Dubon. We hope to incorporate two women coaches in March who are currently working in the Tamarindo with small girls.

-The members of the school seem very happy with the project as they show great interest in what they are doing as well as expressing thanks for this opportunity to be a part of such a “school”.

-It must be noted that our work goes far beyond the field and that our school’s goal is to not only provide instruction in sports but be a source of integral formation. Our interest goes far beyond the field and we care what students do off the field, in the community in their homes and at school.

-After two months I can say that our groups have been disciplined I would say that also applies to the coaching staff.

-The aspect of discipline seems to be the most difficult for the students as they are not accustomed to that. Many just want to play but the program we have demands something more from each student.

-We have organized several clean ups of both the soccer and baseball fields. Cleanups are executed before each training session.
-We began digging up the volleyball/baseball area purchasing soil as we prepare for the seeding during the rainy season

-We had four training goals built in Guarjila. The goals will be used during practice sessions both at the Planchita and the community field which we are preparing.

-We began preparation of another field (the community field) for use by our groups as well as other children located by the old Tamarindo shop. We felt we needed more space due to the number of students and groups that want to play. The preparation has included cutting brush, digging up soil (to flatten areas), removing bushes with thorns, and contracting a tractor to help us flatten the field out. All labor was on a voluntary basis.

-We have started a small walking group led by Noemi Alfaro and Serinda Lopez. Currently we have six people involved. In March we hope to receive more referrals from the clinic for people to walk as part of an over all health program

-We organized a soft ball game between Guarjila and St. Mary’s High School from California. The Tamarindo team won the game. The game was the beginning of our softball/baseball program which we hope to develop in March and April.

-We are currently preparing for an encounter with another sports school in the town of La Laguna. The director of the school is a friend of mine from school. We plan to have soccer games, softball, and a chance for the students to share experiences. This is the first of several encounters we have planned for 2010.

-I also want to thank you for your help in making our school a reality. God Bless You.

Santos Alfaro

A Reflection on 3 Funerals

2010-01-09T19:00:00.000-06:00

Friends,

Nine days…three funerals.

Yesterday we buried Nina Chana. She was 93 years old. She was a
Chalateca and a fighter that lived through two wars and knew a
poverty that we can’t even imagine. She gave herself and the lives of
her husband and children to the revolution. As she grew old she knew
darkness, solitude and heartache. Danny said, “I guess she was just
too tired and died.”

I always thought she resembled a mountain lion. She was strong, lean
and had steely blue eyes that seemingly could penetrate through
anything. She couldn’t see from those eyes, despite surgery by George
and treatment from Tom (they may remember her as the women the people
called “the Witch”).

Despite being blind she spent most of her days gathering wood in the
hills where she would carry her machete in one hand and large loads of
tied, cut trees on her head. She would navigate rocks, stumps,
streams, animals, buses and cars with a very long, thin wooden staff
cut from a tree branch.

She didn’t speak much. She just seemed to cry out most of the
time….”aghhhhhhhhhhhhhh, aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”, and however it is
written, it sounded like it came from a very deep place, a very
painful place.

She never liked sleeping in a house and chose to live alone in a
small, open, “lean to” along the side of the road. She had nothing
there; just stacks of wood, a dog and a pot where she would cook
some kind of soup daily.

She had long ago lost flesh and muscle and was mostly bones ( a
walking skeleton). She had long legs and thin, white hair. Her skin
was dark and dry from years of sun and seemed to fit tightly around
her bones; like a sheet to a bed. As she walked her heart beat heavy.
Looking at her you could see both her chest and ribs rise and fall
with every breadth. She wore the same mended dress most days and it
was almost transparent from years of washings on rocks.

Yesterday I loved what Don Teecho said about her at the funeral mass,
“Chana was the revolution, in heart, body and soul. She worked on the
supply lines and was an expert at sneaking food and batteries past the
soldiers….more than anything else she always shared her food and
water.”

She suffered rejection by her own family. They always seemed to be
ashamed of her. Only one son came to the funeral and he stood off in a
distant corner during the mass, not wanting to be noticed by his own
community.

She was also mistreated by the gangs. They would tie her up and knock
her to the ground. They would burn her few positions as she cried
out….not being able to see who was committing those atrocities against
her.

Yesterdays mass was full of her friends. The great women of Guarjila,
mother’s, grandmothers, revolutionaries; sang, cried and walked with
their comrade for the last time.

Feliciana Menjivar (Nina Chana), a veteran of a “rough life” will no
longer suffer. I can only hope has she has found comfort, somewhere.

Then there is the case of Abel (the second of two Abel’s to die….just
days apart). He was 20 years old. On Wednesday he decided to put rat
poison in his beer and take his own life.

He was always a troubled kid. Never did well in school and dropped
out. He made an effort to be a Tamarindo early on, but too many rules
and structure drove him elsewhere. He then dedicated himself to
“Guarjila crime” stealing chickens and robbing houses (he became
particularly fond of robbing my house).

He then graduated to selling drugs; pot and crack mostly. He would
eventually go to San Salvador where he joined an organized gang and
became a “street dealer” for them.

A year ago he became involved with Maria a fifteen year old Tamarinda,
not long after, Carlos came, their first and only son. Abel seemed to
have found some peace when Carlos was born. He always wanted people
to see him as a dad.

Just before Christmas he disappeared. They say he went back to the
street. They also say that he stole money, (or didn’t pay off) the
“big guy”. He apparently couldn’t pay what he owed and in his
desperation he took that last drink.

Not many people came by to pay their last “respects”, not even his own family.

We helped bury him; Gio, Luis, Rosibel….we seem to have the routine down by now.

We pray for him and his tormented soul. We pray that he has found forgiveness.

And so begins a new generation of poverty. Maria and Carlos. Child with child.

Peace.

jg

Christmas Flashes

2009-12-29T17:44:00.000-06:00

Hello to everyone,

I realize that it must be so very cold for all of you, as I write it's 93 here. How about the NY Jets? (That’s sort of a joke).

Just some quick Christmas flashes.

Senora Luisa is the reigning champ in almost every game we played with the seniors….what a day we all had.

David Petete did an excellent job as Santa (although he did eat many of the candies designated for children....)

During our Christmas breakfast the kids ate their usual "ton" of food. I was amazed when Teresa, who isn't that big, ordered a half a dozen eggs, and a small stack of pancakes......incredible. We were also quite surprised how Chul really is an amazing chef (Wilbur also did a great job on the grill).

I'm writing to let everyone know that Sarah and Chele should be receiving Clare sometime this afternoon. December 29....what a great birthday for our Clare to have. Please include them in your thoughts and prayers today.

Our Christmas continues with the soccer school at the Planchita (with over 100 kids). Santos began by explaining how this "soccer school" is really about formation and transformation of people. I really like that. He began by testing his athletes and we were amazed how Kevin Gordo just ran away with the Cooper Test. Jobel also demonstrated what military training has done for him as he lapped (I think several times) his fellow athletes in the upper division. As the kids ran I could only dream about one day having a track for these kids to run on....maybe we can get NIKE to donate that to us.

The Men's Indoor Soccer league and Christmas Hockey continue. Norelvi has come back from the UCA to dominate hockey. I have to say I love to see that. She took two big whacks from the puck the other day and just kept skating.

We also just concluded the Planchita Christmas Soccer Tournament (won by team Indiana) and the Women's Christmas Tournament. We are keeping a lot of people busy and focused. I am so proud of the Planchita team for their work during this vacation. They ran great events and did a great job to prevent violence (which has always been a part of tournament play here).

We still have our end of year reflections, visits to the elderly in San Salvador, and the Feast of the Three Kings.......

Christmas is a long way from done, so don't lose your Christmas focus (stay focused....)

I send my love,

JUST IN>>>>>>

Clare Henriquez was just born……8 pounds/21nches long…….

Felicidades Chele and Sarah……..

JG

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T16:42:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve......

We've checked the list twice,

We have the premium Ring Pops and Roll Up Candy,

.....and Oreo's for the top of Santa's List,

The stockings are filled,

Luis, Carlos, Gio are putting the last screws on the Christmas Fusbol game (the rush is on....Christams will soon be here),

Jairo, Cobra, Rosibel are at the fences keeping the kids away....

No one allowed in until after mass (and Santa's work is done)

The Christmas lights are on,

The candles are lit,

Christmas will soon be here,

We can feel it

We can hear it

We can taste......

We can smell it,

Thanks to all of you

for this Christmas

and everyday,

you make it all possible,

dreams,

possibilities.

We "gift" you with our love,

Merry Christams to all,

the tamarindos

and john