Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/96437
For me, the essence of community is best described through experience. I am involved with El Porvenir, an organization that provides water, sanitation and reforestation in rural Nicaragua. This year, on my annual visit, we traveled to Ulwasking, a remote Miskito Indian village on the Rio Coco, which borders Nicaragua and Honduras. In a joint venture with Water for People, we will build latrines and develop a safe water source for this and other indigenous villages in the region. As our boat (a dugout with a motor) arrived in Ulwasking, we were greeted by a gaggle of children. With big smiles, they helped bring our supplies up the hill to the village. To me, happy children are always indicative of strong community. This feeling was confirmed the next day. Prior to a meeting with members of the community, a prayer was led by a village leader in the native Miskito language. As the people prayed, it was as if they became one. It was a glimpse into the tight bonds that have been in existence for over 200 years (interrupted by a forced relocation during war time) and that have been part of a culture that has existed much longer. The strong sense of community was palpable throughout our visit, but no more so than during the prayer. A similar feeling of community also was evident a few years earlier and a world away, in the small town of Maxi, Mississippi, where I was delivering supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In a metal building that served as the firehouse and community center, I met with locals who had suffered great loss. They were extraordinarily appreciative for the much-needed supplies but when I asked if there were any people who needed special assistance, the response was: "No, we make sure to take care of our own." Since the hurricane hit, they had shared their food, checked on one another and aided each other. These two experiences stress important elements of community; proximity, caring, interdependence, and duration. Whether in Ulwasking or in Maxi, Mississippi, residents shared their existence with each other for a common good. These communities mirror our own communities, not necessarily in culture, but in everyday functioning. Being part of a community is essential for one's well-being, and it is from being a part of one's own community that a sense of humanity is nurtured. Ultimately, the greatness of community is its benefit to humanity. I can think of no better example of this than back in Mississippi. The town to which I first offered supplies in the aftermath of Katrina was Brooklyn, Mississippi. Despite their great need, these people knew that Maxi was in greater need, as it had been overlooked by relief efforts. They only took a few essentials and then led me to Maxi, a truly selfless act of community. Humanity, nurtured through community, led one community to forgo aid for the good of another. "To me, happy children are always indicative of strong community." The children of the remote Miskito Indian village of Ulwasking on the border of Nicaragua and Honduras. Latin School of Chicago 47