People-to-People
Linking communities in Canada and El Salvador

September 2000

SalvAide Delegation 2000:  A Community-Building Experience

When we asked one delegate what was the best experience she had during the SalvAide delegation 2000, she said "My visit to Copapayo: the people my mission group has helped for some 11 or 12 years. To see their faces, to hold their hands, embrace them…It was truly one of the happiest days of my life". This thought illustrates very well one of the most important aspects of the SalvAide Twin Program: the establishment of people-to-people links between Canadian and Salvadorean communities. In addition to this relationship, participants in the Twin Program have the opportunity to know and become involved in other projects within SalvAide programming, and to expand their insight by learning about the culture and history of El Salvador. This is what the SalvAide Delegation 2000 was all about.

From August 7 to 21, 19 Canadians (13 from London, 3 from Essex, 1 from Windsor, and two from Toronto) experienced a stay in El Salvador that marked their lives. They visited historical sites of El Salvador such as Monsignor Romero's tomb. They also had meetings with SalvAide partners in El Salvador and visited several projects. Of particular interest was the meeting with 23 beneficiaries of the project "Empowering Women: A Micro-Credit Initiative in the south of La Libertad", which is supported by the Canadian International Development Agency, SalvAide and other Canadian Institutions. One of the women beneficiaries welcomed the delegates by saying: "We feel very happy having you here today. It is good to know that people live so far from here are taking care of poor people like us". The communities in this region of the country face an incredible economic and social exclusion, but Canadians delegates left this exchange impressed by the courage, the organization, and the will of these women.

In addition to the general program, delegates performed a specific program related to their twin communities. The people from Essex spent some days in the region of Copapayo, Cuscatlan. They had the opportunity to participate in ongoing activities of the SalvAide Youth project in the region, which was a meaningful exchange because the Holy Name Mission Group of Essex contributes to the project. The people from Essex also visited the communities of La Bermuda, Agua Caliente, Pepeshtenango, El Bario, and their twin, Copapayo. Back in Canada the Essex delegates have carried out information and education activities within their community. They plan to organize other fundraiser and to continue their valuable participation in the SalvAide Twin Program.

The London group was the biggest of the delegation and represents the newest relationship within the SalvAide Twin Program. They spent a week in San Antonio Los Ranchos, Chalatenango. The stay of London delegates become more interesting as the community of Los Ranchos was celebrating its 12th anniversary of re-population. Consequently, delegates participated in a number of activities and visited other interesting places in the region such as "El Alto", a mountain near Los Ranchos. One of London delegates described her trip as "an absolutely wonderful experience that has changed my life"

Accompanying the delegation was Marianne Angus from the Windsor Twin City Project and the Advisory Council of SalvAide. She, along with other delegates and SalvAide staff, went to visit the offices of CIDA in San Salvador. The friendly meeting with Mr. Neil Mussell of CIDA informed the SalvAide delegation about theCanadian programs in El Salvador. Marianne also spent some days in Las Vueltas. The Windsor Twin community is working on the reconstruction of the church of Las Vueltas and last June sponsored the Mayor of Las Vueltas in a visit to Windsor.

Generally speaking, the SalvAide delegation 2000 has been successfully completed and is already producing valuable results. SalvAide wants to thank all the people who participate in delivering this unforgettable people-to-people experience.

SPECIAL REPORT FROM LONDON DELEGATES

In late summer or early fall of 1999, members of our King's College community in London Ontario Canada, entered into a relationship with SalvAide. Through SalvAide, our King's community was twinned with San Antonio Los Ranchos in El Salvador.

Our community at Kings College is comprised of approximately 150 people, 13 of whom joined the delegation to travel to El Salvador. The delegates, who represented all age groups, brought a representative cross section of King's community perspectives, experience and talents with them. Our group included a high school student, a medical doctor, a librarian, teachers, business consultants, social workers and counsellors.

While in El Salvador our delegation had the opportunity to visit a number of SalvAide' twinned communities and saw some very promising social and economic initiatives. We also had opportunities to meet and build relationships with members of CORDES and CRIPDES as well as CIDA. These interactions provided a greater understanding of available support mechanisms and existing programs as well as providing the delegation with invaluable contacts.

The focus of the trip however, was a one week stay in San Antonio Los Ranchos. San Antonio is a community of approximately 1800 people, 60% of whom are under the age of 15. Many of the families are led by a single parent. The community is located in Chalatenango, an area which was the centre of the fighting during the war for equality. It was abandoned in 1980, when the residents fled to refugee camps in Honduras. In their absence, the town was completely destroyed. Tired of their exile, they returned to the overgrown rubble in 1988, while the war still raged around them. Since then they have struggled valiantly and with considerable success, to rebuild the most basic infrastructure. Only 25 individuals have paid employment while the balance of the community relies on agriculture for basic sustenance, despite severely impoverished soil.

While there we met with local government and community groups, women and youth, health and pastoral groups, educators and cooperatives. From them, we learned a great deal about the issues they face, and the many ways we can help.

Fortuitously, we were present for the celebration of the 12th anniversary of the repopulation of San Antonio and participated in a moving re-enactment of the march from the refugee camp in Honduras, in which we were asked to play the roles of the international observers, whose real presence and solidarity in1988 ensured safe passage for the refugees.

During this evocative time we heard the courageous and pain filled stories of the many townspeople who endured incredible hardship and grievous loss during and since the war. And we marvelled at their ability to live each day with faith, generosity and humour in the face of an ongoing struggle for basic necessities.

We were overcome by repeated statements and demonstrations of compassion for others, concern for the earth and joy in living. We were constantly reminded of the importance of simple things, of relationships and of community. And we were changed.

In a short but powerful week, deep personal and communal bonds were formed and solidarity took hold. We became committed members of a larger community...a community that encompasses San Antonio Los Ranchos, Kings College, SalvAide and so many more.

We know our experience has already benefited each of us in profound ways. At this writing we are working to develop action plans to multiply, return and spread the benefits we have received. We are anxious to connect with other Canadian twinned communities to learn, share ideas, leverage resources, and expand our community again. And, we are anxious to return to San Antonio Los Ranchos.

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