Today we remember Don Pavel Antonio Romero Pérez, another victim of the gang violence that continues to ravage El Salvador. For over 15 years, Pavel was a loyal friend to Books for a Better World, masterfully navigating his 4-wheel drive truck on mostly unpaved rural roads to deliver donated books and volunteers to some of the most underserved schools surrounding Ahuachapán, El Salvador. 

Pavel’s love for his country and deep sense of integrity impacted the lives of countless children through literacy, supporting their teachers by building classroom and school libraries. Before the involvement of volunteers from Books for a Better World, logistically supported by Pavel, many of the classrooms or even entire schools may have had only a few books.

We remember jostling around with boxes of books in the open back of Pavel’s truck as we joined Books For a Better World for a day in July 2013, delivering books to rural schools. Though we wouldn’t give this transport a second thought today, back in July, 2013, it felt reckless to willingly trade comfort for exposure. I vividly remember exchanging unsure parenting glances with Jorge as Abigail intrepidly climbed into the back of the Pavel’s open truck with volunteers Kira, Steve, Wendy and Matt.

ventually blowing rain drenched us as we huddled under the truck’s rain tarp.To our family, Pavel is remembered for being more than a driver. With Pavel at the wheel, our children were transported to a world rarely seen by tourists, setting our family’s trajectory for authentic travel to less visited destinations. Though these experiences feel harsh and unfamiliar at the time, we’ve found the rewards of struggle and discomfort lingers the longest in our hearts and minds, changing us.

Pavel’s willingness to get involved with Books for a Better World demonstrated to our children that there’s a road paved with hope, whose ruts and slippery inclines are best navigated through partnerships with engaged community members like Pavel. He lived to make his community better. The difficult road he chose meant great sacrifice, eventually taking his life as the victim of targeted gang violence, attributed to his other volunteer work with the community. His impact will live on in Ahuachapán’s children, our family and through the continued work of the dedicated volunteers for Books for a Better World.

If you’d like to find out more about Books for a Better World, please visithttp://www.booksforabetterworld.org/ or find them on Facebook @BooksforaBetterWorld

News Story: http://mas.sv/sucesos/de-aqui/padre-de-policia-es-asesiando-a-balazos-en-ahuachapan/37633/