The Garden of Eden

This morning we had the opportunity to visit the orphanage or "hogar por ninos" (home for children because the nuns do not like the connotation of orphanage, and I agree). Truly, I feel I've walked into a modern day garden of Eden. The place is completely run by Carmelite Sisters who have created a completely self-sufficient universe inside the walls of their compound. What struck me most is the immediate sense of calm that you feel after entering the gates. Surrounded by lush greens and looking out into the mountains, you feel personally at peace and welcomed (or at least I did). On site for the 60 children that currently live there, the nuns have an emergency medical clinic, dental clinic and psychological center. In addition their playground and play rooms are colorful, filled with many of childhood's staples. What is perhaps most impressive about this operation is that they have a fully functioning farm that feeds the children organically. Behind their cottages is a few acres of garden with vegetables like cabbage, zucchini, carrots and tomatoes and fruit like oranges, grapefruit and mango. The make their own juice! In addition they have two pools filled with fish that they collect regularly to serve for dinner. The next project we discovered is heartbreaking, however I do see the need. Last year the nuns informed Joaquin that the children were not getting any protein. He began the rabbit project. In a separate little area of the compound, rabbits reproduce (frequently) and then are in a sense harvested to serve as the meat used for dinner. The nuns and staff have mastered the art of making hamburgers withe the rabbit meat, as well as many other specialties that have helped the kids get a much needed helping of protein. It has been a hugely successful venture. I couldn't' look at those poor rabbits, so adorable hopping around, knowing they would later be dinner. But still its a brilliant idea.

And here's where is gets even better. They regularly take all of the garbage from the compund and make it into compost piles where it decomposes and it later used for soil for the plants. They believe fully in the "cycle of the earth" as she put it.

There is a clear sense of community and family at this place. I simply feel in love. I felt like this was the place I was meant to come and work at. The nuns were wonderful and we had the opportunity to meet one of the sisters who was visiting from the U.S.

So what's the catch...there is always a catch, even in the Garden of Eden right? Unfortunately, we are already stuck in a schedule with the other school. Since my classes are in the afternoons, I (at least for the next few weeks) will not be able to work at the home for children because they attend regular school in the mornings and then return in the afternoons. I am frustrated because I wish I had the option of these projects before we were committed to teaching at the school. It is possible that when some of the other volunteers come to the mainland in a few weeks that we can stitch the schedule. For now, I'm going to see if I can go to the home for children on the weekend. Hopefully we can figure something out, because I feel like this is the place I want to be working, or could really learn a lot. I can't explain it, I just had such a positive and perhaps spiritual experience there.

Incidentally, the nuns had a box of "Mr. Donuts" (the El Salvadorian equivalent to dunkin donuts) on their table...a sign? I think yes.