Forty-three families live in the mountainous region of Morazan, a village in El Salvador. They have no running water and no electricity. The children have to walk an hour each way to attend the one-room school, which is barely more than a bamboo shelter with a dirt floor. The campesinos, or small farmers, of the village grow barely enough food to live on. They are able to raise some money for themselves by selling beans, coffee and colorful hammocks.

Last month, seven men and women from southern Cayuga County donated a week of their time and brought school supplies and musical instruments to help these residents. Larry and Laura Buffam, the coordinators of the trip, were joined by Paul and Jane Simkin and Nancy, Kyle and Cody Gilbertson. The group's project, the San Pedro Sister Community Project, was established after Laura Buffam visited her daughter, who was working for a non-profit organization in the country.

“It's a very rural community, with a simple life,” she said. “They don't have any money. We wanted to help them. We're Quakers, but we didn't want this to be just a Quaker project. We have reached out to other churches.”

Quaker is a name for a member of the Religious Society of Friends, usually referred to as “the friends.” The religious group was founded in England in the 17th century, and one of its most important concepts has been to work for peace in the world. Laura summed up their belief system as one of “peace, simplicity and a direct experience with God.”

Although the volunteers paid their own expenses for the trip to El Salvador, they were provided assistance by an organization called Fundahmer, which works with small groups and organizations around the world to raise the standards of living for people in the poor areas of rural El Salvador. Fundahmer helped the volunteers with translation, transportation and meals. And they set up a program for the seven to hear lectures and tour the area.

Before the Buffams and their group went to El Salvador, they were given a list of items the people of the community had asked for. One of the religious leaders thought musical instruments would give the young people something to encourage them to stay in the community. Larry said that some of the members of this year's group were musicians, and they shared a great night of music with the El Salvadorans.

The members of the San Pedro Sister Community Project have been raising funds for El Salvador by asking for donations and by selling cards and Fair Trade coffee.

They hope to be able to continue to support a nutrition program, establish scholarships and provide agricultural loans and assistance in bringing handmade items to the market.

The project's mission: “to foster friendship and solidarity across national boundaries and raise consciousness about cultural differences and global inequality, [and] to assist San Pedro in a way that creates sustainability and economic well-being.”