In preparation for this newsletter, I took on the assignment of writing the story of Elva and Efrain, and honestly, I didn’t know where to start. After thinking about it, I decided I should begin from the day they were reunited at South Park Senior Center. It was on a day in March, while Elva was waiting to have her photo taken for our Center’s website. Then, Efrain and a friend arrived requesting social services.
From the moment Efrain saw Elva, he looked thoughtful, and took some time to approach her to ask if she was Mrs. Serrano. With her characteristic warmth and grace, Elva responded with a smile, saying yes, I am Elva Serrano. Efrain immediately reminded her that he had been her student in history class in El Salvador. “Do you remember me?” he asked her.
To everyone’s surprise, Elva recognized him and said she remembered him from when he was in ninth and tenth grades, when she taught history and language. And at that moment, they reunited after many decades, not knowing that they both had been living in the same city. Elva asked for permission to hug him, and that’s how they celebrated their wonderful reunion.
Efrain recalls that back then there was a shortage of professionals in the city, such as teachers, and people with in-demand professions were asked to move to the city. He thinks that this is how his teacher Elva Serrano de Rodriguez came to teach at his school. He adds that Elva had a very friendly demeanor and a good physical presence.
Efrain also mentioned that during those years when the “Military Dictatorship” was in power, people had to define their political position, whether they supported the government party or the opposition party. After finishing high school, due to the difficult political situation in his country, Efrain decided to emigrate to the United States and made this country his new home. Despite having had many students, Elva remembers Efrain. She recalls her work as a teacher in those years with much longing and pride.
Mrs. Serrano de Rodriguez came to the United States accompanying her daughter, who was interested in studying. Once her daughter obtained her degree, she asked her to stay a bit longer to gain professional experience, and so their stay extended until today.
Elva and Efrain attend the Wednesday dinners and have the opportunity to see each other, share, and talk about their lives in this country and also remember stories and anecdotes from the old days when they both lived in El Salvador.