a return to pacren.

Once simple sticks in the ground, the trees are sprouting leaves and branches and are taking root. Once plots of empty, dry soil, the terraces are now filled with a bounty, ready for harvest. Eliseo reaches down to point out a radish. Pointing turns to picking. Picking turns into tasting. A satisfying CRUNCH as he bites in. The same pointing, picking, and tasting can be tried on the cucumbers or onions that lay in the neighboring soil. I break off a piece of cilantro, rub it between my fingers, and inhale deeply, eyes closed.

Three days ago, I arrived in Camotán. I was a little unsure and uneasy about returning, but I was excited to be back in a place I called home. My objective was to visit the village of Pacren to check on the progress of the trees and crops and to see if there were needs with which I could help. After two days of plans arising and falling through, I was finally able to negotiate with Eliseo a trip up to visit Pacren.

After a few questions about how they and their families have been since I left in October, I cut to the chase: how are the trees? Ok, so I was not that quick and heartless about it. We talked for a little while about the weather, the two months without rain, the successes and failures of the project so far. Then we walked down to the project site.

I immediately saw an incredible change had occurred. What had been a mostly barren, rocky slope was beginning to undergo a transformation. The tree cuttings that we planted back in September were finally beginning to take root, witnessed by the small leaves emerging from the stalks and the rich red hue to the bark. Additionally, between the now-established hedgerows, small platforms had been cultivated with the seeds we purchased and the tops of these vegetables — onion, radish, cucumber, chile — were beginning to peek through the soil.

radish plants peeking out.

It is hard to describe my excitement and overwhelming joy as I was lead through this site and saw success after success. After all of the emotional turmoil of having to “abandon” the project, all of my fears and concerns were washed away.

madre cacao trees with developing leaves (all the way up the hill).

As was my hope, this community has taken complete ownership of this project and now considers these their trees. These are not my trees. These are not even our trees. This community did the work; collected the cuttings, cultivated, watered, cared for these trees and these trees are now their trees. On top of this wonderful step in the right direction, the people are reaping immediate benefits from their labor and time: they are preparing to harvest their first crop of vegetables. And for once, their plates will feature a bit of variation from the typical rice, beans, and tortillas.

woman with one of the trees on her strip.

lots of trees and lots of food.

eliseo tries a radish from the soil.

There are, however, some very definite challenges ahead for our project. The benefits witnessed thus far have come at a great sacrifice on behalf of the people. They have labored daily to care for the trees and plants and have the burden of carrying multiple jugs of water up from the creek twice daily. While some families have jobs outside of the village and must travel away during the day, other families have stepped in to help out and water their plants. An incredible sense of community and unity has been highlighted, but each person I spoke with told me of the strain that this work puts on their other tasks.

They are desperate for an easier way to transport the water up the hill both to water these plants and to use in their homes. I continue to research possible water pump systems that I can put in place that do not require electricity or gasoline, both costs that the village could not carry on their own and would end up as a burden after I left. After discussing potential next steps with Eliseo, I made plans to return in January to get to work on the water pump. The people in Pacren have proven their dedication to this project time and time again. And now it is time for me to hold up my end of the deal.