David Nolasco lives in El Ocotillo, a small village in San Fernando, El Salvador, with streets fashioned out of dirt and stone and a local school that educates roughly 50 children. He describes the neighborhood as a “caserio” — similar to a hamlet.
The “caserio” knows its priorities: strengthening unity among its people, developing relationships with outside communities, and educating its children. With the support of a small church in Massachusetts, the goals are slowly coming to fruition.
Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton refers to El Ocotillo as its sister community. Their almost 20-year-long relationship focuses on raising scholarship money to help young adults like Nolasco attain a bachelor’s degree, as well as organizing other projects in El Ocotillo such as providing clean water.
Rev. Melissa Buono, the interim priest at Good Shepherd, confirmed the church’s commitment to El Ocotillo.
“We’re helping this community educate their children so that they are the ones improving their lives and their community,” she said. “It’s not us coming in and building a house or coming in as the person to save the day.”
“The gospel message of Jesus is to love your neighbor as yourself and love the Lord God,” Buono said. “I think this is a way we’re able to do that. Our neighbor isn’t necessarily the house next door… it’s wherever there’s a deep need and your gifts can help.”