Be a Bridge

THE ESPERANZA PROJECT

When I first arrived in El Salvador I had no idea what I was going to be doing. Little did I think I would be teaching trumpet lessons or Aerobics. But, when a few trumpets were donated to our church and they found out I had played in high school, I was asked to teach. Being a former Editor of my high school and college yearbook, taught me to always be on the look-out for a good picture. I found out very quickly that the people loved to get their picture taken and they made beautiful subjects. What saddened me was to find out that many did not have pictures of any of their special occasions.

The Yanes Family

A grade school friend, Kristen said that she wanted to come and visit. I remembered that she was a photographer and so I asked if she would bring her camera and take pictures. She brought her lights and set up a studio and took beautiful family photos. I bought a photo printer to develop them and this was the beginning of the Photo Project.
Someone then gave me the idea to ask for used digital cameras. After receiving a few I began to teach a group of our youth in the church how to use them. It was wonderful to see them learn and watch their confidence grow as they began to take pictures at festivals, first communions, confirmations, birthday parties, etc. It was a service within a service. We sold the pictures at a low cost and used the money to buy food and medicines for the poorest in their community. The people were so happy to have pictures and memories of their special times.

Part of being a Franciscan Missioner is telling the stories of these people that I walk with daily for many will never have the opportunity to cross cultures (read Being a Bridge entry). Sharing stories and pictures is important, but so is sharing resources. There are so many needs here and not enough.
The ESPERANZA (Hope) Project is a way in which people can purchase notecards or make a donation in someone’s name which in turn will help provide basic needs like food, medicine, shelter for the people of El Salvador.
Perhaps you want to give someone a gift for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, but they have all they need. Make a donation in their name to the Esperanza project. To order cards contact my sister Renee Riehle Jackson at 2breallyhopeful@gmail.com

Some of the pictures on the cards