My shoulders burn, his do too. My back aches, so does hers. I am sweating, so is everyone, but I am smiling and enjoying myself all the while. There were 2000 concrete blocks to move down a steep slope with only our 11-member small crew group to do so. We made an assembly line with everyone spread out, legs wide, and arms swinging back and forth. It was the hardest job I took on during the trip, but it was also one of the most memorable events that will remain with me for a long time. I will not remember it for simply being a physically taxing job, but rather I will remember it for the emotions I felt during it.

I felt like our crew was the strongest that existed. We had only met a few days prior, but it felt as though we had worked with one another for years. Everyone was exhausted, yet not a single member complained whenever they opened their mouth to speak, words of encouragement were all that came through. It took all morning, but we had done it. More importantly, we had done it as a team. That happened on our first day at work. We became a team. As the days passed we saw each other in our worst, ugliest, and dirtiest moments, but I found every moment precious and beautiful. Eleven strangers became one family and we each made one more family however: a family with the El Salvadorian children.

The first time I saw the children, they were running towards the teaching place screaming and laughing. They had gotten so excited after having seen the van. I thought they were excited to see the returning “Jackie Chan”, or Mr. Lee, but once we separated them into classes I saw their eyes. I had never seen eyes so eager and full of burning passion to learn. They motivated me to teach them despite the strict language barrier. They encouraged me to learn simple Spanish.

They influenced me to ponder for hours about how to get their attention and what to plan for the next lesson. While I was teaching, I noticed myself trying my hardest to help, feeling hurt when one receive the help a different way, and learning to love and adore the children. Through this experience, I reflected upon my life. I took on a different perspective and realized that most of the things I though obvious, such as having an education and a stable house, were privileges many throughout the world do not have. I became more thankful of how privileged I am and it pushed me to want to aid others in attaining that same privilege.

Returning members called this a healing trip. I could not understand at first, but I finally recognized the reason near the end of the trip. I was in the van on the way back to the hostel one night, thinking about the situation I left back in Virginia when I realized those thoughts disappeared after a few minutes. It was like that during the entirety of the trip. I believe that sometimes people need a break from reality to relieve their stress. This trip was my break.

Mindless work, worries about teaching lessons, and fun conversations and friends allowed me to forget about other issues and heal myself in El Salvador. The friends I made on this trip I will cherish forever. The memories I made on this trip I will remember forever. The emotions and lesson I learned I will carry with me forever on my journey to become a better person.

<강다현 / McLean High School 12th grade>