First Parish Church Features

2004 First Parish Church Mission Trip to El Salvador

Matt Didisheim's Remarks

On my first day of work in El Salvador, we traveled to the Barefoot Angels program run by ASAPROSAR.

It is located in downtown Santa Ana, in a school that once was the home of Dr. Guzman

When we arrived, we were suddenly surrounded by children - who greeted us with happy faces, reaching out to hold our hands and help carry our tools and equipment.

Barefoot Angels provides education and safety for El Savadoran children who otherwise would not be in school.

We gathered together for a welcoming statement read in English by one of the students - she thanked us for coming and wanted us to know on behalf of all of kids that we should treat their place as if it were our home.

We learned that many things needed to be repaired, which is what our team did during the week. We fixed 20 desks that were falling apart, installed shelves in three classrooms, built a cabinet to help protect food from rats, repaired a foosball table, and fixed playground equipment.

Two swings on their swing set were broken, so we went to the hardware store to get the needed pieces. And when the swings were repaired, children rushed to swing on them and they remained in full use the entire time we were there.

We also fixed a wooden bridge that had broken on their jungle gym.

We brought a brand new soccer ball and played soccer with the kids.

We also handed out candy.

The parents of many of these children work in the market all day long, and they do not have money to pay for school supplies.

Barefoot Angels provides a simple meal each day to the children, consisting of half a piece of corn and a corn broth. For some, this may be their only meal of the day. ASAPROSAR and the work of this church helps provide support for feeding these children, helping them get some education, and allowing them to keep off the streets.

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