2nd batch of Exposure- Daren Girls High School

Another group of exposure participants arrived in El Salvador City on July 1, 2016, to experience the area of apostolate of the Hijas de Jesús. The group was headed by Sr. Teresita Chi, FI, and Dr. Hou Hui-Chung, who came with her daughter, Vanessa. The rest of the participants were students from Daren Girls High School.

There were 16 participants in all. During their exposure, they took part in various activities that allowed them to encounter different people and realities in the community. These included encounters with elementary pupils from three public schools where the sisters regularly conducted catechism and operated a mobile library; an encounter with the women and youth of Barangay Taytay; a feeding program; an organic agriculture training facilitated by Dr. Hou; a feeding program with the children of Amoros; and, of course, a pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine.

Only five of the participants were Christians, but at the end of the exposure, everyone shared how the different experiences had brought them closer to God, each according to their own faith and understanding of God. More importantly, the encounters helped them draw closer to the people they met, especially those who were poor and in need.

The participants openly expressed their joy and enthusiasm throughout the experience. They also shared with the sisters many of the unforgettable moments and experiences they had during their stay.

Among the group, four girls decided to remain until July 23 to have further exposure to the realities of life in the community. Their willingness to stay longer gave them more opportunities to encounter people, understand their situation, and deepen their experience of service and solidarity.

By Sr. Mary Juelar, F.I.