DORIS – SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR

a strong-hearted and powerful woman

We were headed to the beautiful beaches of El Cuco when we met Doris at San Miguel’s bus station. Doris actually the first person we were lucky to get to know during our journey through El Salvador. Wanting to stack up on our food and snack supplies, we asked her for help to find stores. Doris got up, asked us to watch her stuff, and promptly returned with some fresh papaya and typical El Salvadorian snacks. Doris refused any money from us, we returned the favor with some cold Salvadorian beer. All set we started our journey to El Cuco with Doris, the best company possible. Doris was as eager to hear our story as we were to listen to hers. The bus ride offered the perfect opportunity to share memories and exchange stories. Like many El Salvadorians Doris grew up under modest circumstances. Her father has left the family very early.
Nonetheless, she spent a carefree childhood on the coast. She soon realized that despite some financial struggle, she and her family were rich in love and freedom. Back then nothing made her happier than feeling the sand on her bare feet while playing with her siblings by the water,

By the time she turned 31, life had changed, and she had to provide for her four children. With a heavy heart, Doris decided to build a future in the city. So she moved to San Salvador and was lucky to find a fulfilling and providing job. As much as the move had helped her to live her life, the city also robbed her of her beloved son. Tragically, El Salvador is still struggling with gang violence, and many continue to fall victim to murder. Despite the hardship and this heartbreaking blow of fate, Doris had never lost her courage. She told us that the freedom and love she had experienced in her childhood and youth still give her strength today. It provided her with the courage to carry on and give her all to her remaining three children. She worked even harder and learned that diligence affords her independence and freedom. Especially the tragic death of her son made her appreciate life and its little moments so much more.

Doris is a woman who reinvented herself.

What is vital to Doris?

Doris draws her strength from her religious beliefs and God’s love. Honoring God is essential to her. Her faith made her the resistant woman she is today and gave her the strength to overcome pain and suffering.
Respect is also a cardinal value to her. She has learned that only those who respect their fellow human beings can expect respect for themselves.
Doris considers helpfulness to be one fundamental pillar of life. One should take nothing for granted and always be aware that there is a person in the world who is even worse off than oneself.
Last but not least, her family is the most essential thing in life. Family to her is the basis of all being.

  What does happiness mean to Doris?

To Doris, happiness means her children’s happiness. She is very thankful to have a job that will enable her to create a better life for her children. She knows that she is blessed that despite her personal heartache and the still prevailing hopelessness amongst the young population in El Salvador, her remaining children have not fallen into the arms of criminal gangs promising fast money.

Would you like to live in another country?

Yes, her heart belongs to El Salvador, but she would like to live somewhere else for two reasons. On the one hand, she would want to move to a more developed and wealthier country because she sees a chance not just to earn money to survive but to actually built something. It would make life easier for her not only to live from hand to mouth. She really wants to create a secure future. It would allow her children to make decisions for their future, not based on financial pressure but out of choice. On the other hand, Doris is super curious. She loves leaving her comfort zone and getting to know the world and its people. She would love to know more about different ways of living and different customs. Doris is dreaming of living in the US, Germany, or Argentina.

Doris’s recommendations for travelers to El Salvador

Try to get to know the El Salvadorians! Don’t be afraid and don’t let prejudices get in the way of getting to know us. Above all, don’t be shy to talk to engage in a conversation. El Salvadorians are very respectful and will not impose a conversation and leave you alone if they feel like you are uncomfortable. If you don’t actively open up, you miss out on getting to know El Salvador beyond newspaper headlines.
The El Salvadorians are very excited about tourism. They are aware that their country may offer lower living standards and suffers from many prejudices. Despite the prevailing poverty, social indifference, and issues, El Salvadorians want to share their love for their home country.
Besides this incomprehensible open-heartedness, there is so much more the locals have to share. Unfortunately, only a few people can get this glimpses. Glimpses into a purposeful, courageous, and relaxed country.