The perseverance of Triumph’s El Salvador team resulted in a day of milestones on their third day in Santa Rosa.
The team worked with the women and children of the village, teaching them about the food groups and importance of eating healthy. They also showed them the connection between their health and brushing their teeth. At the end of the lesson, the team gave toothbrushes and toothpaste, donated by Triumph’s friends and family, to everyone in the village. “One young woman, who was probably in her early twenties,” said Lisa, “told me that this was the first toothbrush she had ever had.”
For the day’s craft project, the team painted rocks and made party hats for the well dedication ceremony.
Several members of the team fell in love with a sweet baby girl from the village named Xiomara. “She was in the arms of at least one Triumph team member for most of the day,” said Tami.
In order to receive a well, Living Water asks each village to provide lunch for the well digging team. On this day, the women made papusas, a traditional Salvadoran dish made of a thick, homemade corn tortilla filled with beans and cheese. Triumph’s team members jumped right in to learn how to make them!
Towards the end of the day, the drilling team successfully reached their final depth! As clean water sprayed from the well, the team members joined the people of Santa Rosa as they danced and jumped in celebration.
After the base of the well was set in concrete, the team placed a plaque into the cement to set overnight.
The finishing touches on the well, including the casement and the pump, will be added tomorrow. The team members and residents of Santa Rosa will then take place in the well dedication ceremony and celebration.