Wilbert and Sara Orellana
Blended families are not as common or accepted in El Salvador as they are in the United States. But Wilbert and Sara, who got together after Sara’s devastating divorce from her first husband, consider themselves and their three kids one family. Now they need a place of their own to have the independence and space to start a new life together. With the help of The Fuller Center, they are about to get a decent, safe house they can call their own.
Sara and Wilbert live in the town Caserio Las Monjas on property owned by Wilbert’s mother, who has a nice house built by another humanitarian organization and which she shares with two other relatives.
Sara, age 25, was previously married to an abusive husband who is the father of Francisco (age 11) and Cristian (age 7). The divorce left deep scars in Sara’s life, but things changed for the better when she met and fell in love with Wilbert five years ago. Wilbert’s mother was violently opposed to his marrying a divorcée, but because the couple had no other place to go, she reluctantly agreed to let them live in a small shack on her property. Wilbert has been a great father to Francisco and Cristian and treats them as his own children. The couple’s life was enriched by the arrival of their baby Carmen two years ago.
The relationship between Sara and her mother-in-law is very strained, and this tension has caused Francisco to go live with his grandparents temporarily. Sara and Cristian still do not feel welcome on Wilbert’s mom’s property.
The Orellanas’ house is made of adobe and tin and is in terrible condition. During the rainy season it floods. Wilbert is a hard worker and has had a series of low-paying jobs in the cane fields, as a plumber and in construction. He currently works as a security guard at a Shell gas station. Sara has worked in the cane fields, but now stays home to take care of the baby. The family’s financial situation means they cannot repair their dilapidated house.
The family began doing their sweat equity on their Fuller Center home in May 2008. Having a home of their own will allow them to reunite with their son Francisco, live in peace as a family, and have a safe, decent place to raise their kids.
According The Fuller Center staff, Sara has a rare quality: she has a contagious laugh that makes anyone that hears it feel warm inside. “She has volunteered constantly at the work site and is always cheering up the rest of the group. She has a wonderful positive attitude and makes us very proud to have her in our team,” says Mike Bonderer, director of operations for El Salvador.
Sara and Wilbert are excited about their new home. They believe in a God that is all about new beginnings and see their new home as proof that God has been listening to their prayers to start a new life.
