Impressions of Chachagualla

The Honduras experience was amazing. Our group of twenty-nine representing nine churches in New England and ranged in age from twelve to mid-seventies. Some of us helped with building projects while others played with the children, taught music and took in the culture. We all worked together using our talents and abilities to reach a common goal while each of us had a unique personal experience.

We worked in the village of Chachaqualla located in Omoa, a coastal city about 30 miles from the Guatamalan border. Chachaqualla has a population of about 2,000, fifty percent of whom are under the age of sixteen. The village had one small dirt road and footpaths that led to individual homes. The village was a mixture of natural beauty and extreme poverty. Banana, coconuts and grapefruit grew everywhere and views from the mountainside village were extraordinary. On the other hand most families had no indoor plumbing and wastewater ran down the sides of footpaths. Fields where children played were littered with garbage.

Our project for this mission trip was assisting in improvements to the healthcare infrastructure. This included building pilas, which are outdoor, sinks made of cinder blocks and cement. A pila holds clean water with a divided wash area and drain. It is used for washing dishes, laundry and food preparation. The New England Synod and mission team provided supplies for 28 pilas (twelve of which were built during our stay) and 22 outdoor latrines. The mission team worked side by side with members of each family and professional masons to complete each project. We often had limited or inadequate building supplies (hammers, levels, shovels) but managed to work together despite our language barrier and lack of skill.

Afternoons in the village were spent with the children. The children were on their three-month school break and returned to school the week after we left. Each day 60-75 children would be waiting for us at the village school. We ran a Vacation Bible School in the afternoon with only la few resources. Each day we would begin with a Bible story skit and then move the kids through stations of arts & crafts, soccer, bubbles, beanbags and music. As the week progressed more and more children would join us until the last day when about 215 children appeared (the word of banana splits on the last day spread quickly through the village). It was amazing to see that such simple activities with only a few basic supplies could entertain and engage so many children.

St. Marguerite Episcopal Church was located in the center of the village. Father Francisco Madence is pastor of St. Marguerite and St. Marco a larger and slightly more affluent church located several miles away. St. Marguerite was a small simple church with light purple walls and bright green pews. The congregation was primarily women and children. We attended a service on Sunday evening in the village and we were struck by how welcoming everyone was. The congregation invited us in, sat next to us and went out of their way during the Sharing of Peace to shake each of our hands. Singing was a huge part of the service with some songs lasting 10 to 15 minutes. Children sat and stood in the aisles, babies cried and every now and then a stray dog would wander in.

The residents of Chachaqualla have minimal financial resources and live in a world where maintaining basic needs is a daily struggle, yet they are optimistic, loving and genuinely happy. To say that they don’t know any better would be patronizing and inaccurate. Chachaguallans have access to American television and culture. They see our lifestyle and excess. This community has found peace and happiness in the things that we have lost sight of or over look. They find joy and happiness in a sense of community that as Americas we no longer share. When is the last time any of us truly, opened our homes, shared a meal or helped a neighbor in need? My daughter and nephew explored the village daily; they were invited into homes, and played with children without adult supervision. We were without fear or suspicion and felt that sense of community, ownership and safety. In this respect I have learned much more from Chachagualla than I could ever teach.

Several trips are being planned with hopes of organizing a medical mission and future-working missions. These mission trips make a difference in the everyday lives of these hard working families. The New England Synod has made a commitment to Chachagualla and a long-term plan has been established. Some goals include scholarship commitments of $300 per year per student for those students in 7th thru 12 grades. Opening a daycare center to allow mothers to pursue education or work outside the home; school improvements including painting projects, repairs and new equipment.

Our experience was invaluable. I hope that each of you will keep Chachagualla in your thoughts and prayers and will consider joining a mission trip at some point in the future.

The St. James Mission Team

Tara, Jackie, Jill, Caroline and Jack