The Plaza at El Charco

In the middle of what sometimes feels like a desert, a playground stands as the first phase of the “Plaza” of El Charco. This picture shows the playground which is on the highest part of the community. What is not seen in the photo are the 25 or so houses that make up the community. Most are constructed of mesquite branches or something like an adobe. The afternoon heat keeps everyone inside until a breeze comes about 6 pm and the kids come running. Before the playground, there was nothing to do, but now kids enjoy swings, two slides, monkey bars, a small playscape and trampoline.

The project began as a plan of the Greater Paris Rotary and ended with cooperation from the Burgos Mayor’s office, the DIF, Burgos Missions, and Cristo la Roca Church. It involved a brand new construction in the Burgos Plaza, mentioned in an earlier post, and the reconditioning of the old playground and a new installation in El Charco.

When the community members refer to the playground area as their Plaza, it is with pride and thankfulness that their small and very poor community is “coming up”. Larger communities with more resources take great pride in their plazas and use them for community events and gatherings. They are usually next to city offices, stores, churches, etc. While El Charco lacks all these things, it no longer is without a Plaza, however humble it may be.

We are so grateful to those mentioned above and to our partners for the progress that seems like a little thing, but means so much to the families in El Charco. We meet monthly with the families and teach Bible stories and songs to the children. God’s attention is on this forgotten and out of the way place. We are glad to have a small part in what the Lord has planned for El Charco.