In the La Chacra community of El Salvador, family activities almost always take place indoors. The streets aren’t safe – violence can occur suddenly. There aren’t many public, outdoor spots to gather with peace of mind and a sense of security.
But there’s one exception. A school and community center run by Catholic Sisters. Inside its grounds, kids and families alike feel a sense of sanctuary. They can take a deep breath, they can relax a little.
One thing the kids at La Chacra are really craving? Some quality time spent outside with their families.
When we asked some youth in La Chacra about their ideas to make the space even more family friendly, it’s no wonder that one of their most popular ideas had to do with being outdoors – picnics!
“We’d like the opportunity to sit outside and eat a meal together,” said one of the kids. “We can do that here.”
We did some sleuthing and determined the items needed for a proper picnic in El Salvador, and then we got to work!
Together with the kids, we packed ready-to-go picnic bags for their families. Bread, ham, cheese, some sweets, plates, napkins, cutlery, and more…it’s all there.
Luckily, the Sisters of La Chacra had recently renovated some benches and tables in an outdoor green space…perfect for a family picnic!
The kids couldn’t wait to share the bags with their families. What a fun surprise for all – and an opportunity to get outside, share a meal, and be together.
