Dave and I were so honored to be at the Kiwanis Village graduation for children in 2ndm #rd and4th Grade on Dec 7th, 2024. The Village was founded by Armando Bukele Kattan (father of he Presient) who was also the head of the Kiwanis Club in San Salvador.
What a joy to see his face on the buildings as we entered the village. Next to his image were the words:
” If you follow the voice of the people, bad ones will get mad, & present obstacles, but keep going, God and your people will be with you.”
The graduation was wonderful for children in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades! Each on received a medal, a diploma and special toys. The ceremony included words by School Director, Elsy de Diaz, Mervin Alfaro, Kiwanis Village spokesperson, Ada Valasquez, of the Armando Bukele Foundation and other key leaders in the community. It began with a prayer by one of the children and Elsy led a moment of silence in honor of Flor Parada, who passed away last month. She was the Director of the Kiwanis School and a pivitol leader in the community. The kids participated and gladly received their medals, diplomas and toys. They also provided a play of Little Red Riding Hood and a dance performance as well..
After the Santa Tecla earthquake in 2001, the Mayor of Soyapango…which was a “Chatterrera” (junkyard) provided land and led by Armando Airline Ambassadors jumped in to hep and we were determined to make this village a success. Originally, we built 150 house. Now the community has grown to over 220 families – 3000 people!
https://youtu.be/eRsjjMs96Vc
Laura Corpeno (Project Coordinator for Kiwanis) provided a tour with Flor Parada (Director of the Kiwanis School ) last year to show us the latest efforts at starting an organic community garden to teach children and families sustainable agriculture. It was amazing as the families are using the vegetables themselves, and selling excess to others. In the garden they were growing beans, tomatoes, green peppers, radishes, onions and more.
