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Page 2 of photos from previous delegations |
e
are happy to present a second page of photographs of
our trips to El Salvador and our partner community of
Communidad Octavio Ortiz.
| We
are always enchanted by the children of Communidad Octavio Ortiz and throughout
the country of El Salvador. |
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No matter how hard things get, the children are truly loved and have great smiles, tons of warmth and affection, and to their community are considered the highest priority. |
| One of the greatest programs is Libros Para Los Ninos (Books for the Children). This program is designed to teach the joy of reading to children. Before the earthquake, there were three reading centers. Only one survived. |
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In 2001, our delegation brought toys for the children to enjoy in the child care center and school. |
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Communidad Octavio Ortiz was nearly destroyed by floods in 1999, especially after the managers of a nearby dam released way too much water all at once. The levee which the community started to build on their own in 2000 has had great progress in 2001! If only they can grow some vegetation to prevent erosion! |
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Hospitals
and doctors are far away from the people of the Bajo Lempa. Small health
care supply shacks are kept by health care advisors. Each delgation
brings supplies La Canoa. Before our next delegation leaves, please
consider donating supplies!
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Marilu, a health care advisor told us the story of how she became involved in the war. Her story shook us. Here's her story. "I learned what I do in health care in the war. I was young and in 1980 was captured and all my family was killed in a massacre. I was 15 and was left alone. And they had me tied up even though I and my family had nothing to do with the war. I was tied to a post. And they took me in order to kill me. And after this, they put three soldiers 3 meters from me. I felt the first bullet graze my head and go through my hair. I looked out of the side of my eye after they took off my blindfold. I felt death. They turned me around to shoot me. I saw all the dead bodies behind me. I felt a blow to my head. I ran away tripping over the body of my dead uncle. But I kept running with blood starting to gush. A soldier pinned me to the ground. He wore a mask and was ready to rape me. I ripped off his mask and I knew who it was. I said, 'No! Why do you want to do this?' He was my godfather. Having been discovered, he ran away. I struggled up to climb over the wall and felt a bullet into my calf. I started rolling and four soldiers tackled me and one put a knife to my neck. But two compañeros hiding in the bushes killed the soldiers. After this, I have no memory. I awoke in the company of the compañeros. It took a year to recover from the bullet. I am still partially paralyzed. In 1981, I learned first aid. I learned health care to serve my people and our struggle through the medical brigade. I got involved in the forces to heal people." |
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Today, Marilu is teaching people how to purify their water and avoid drinking water like that which is found in the typical washing area shown here. She is on call 24 hours a day to deliver babies and provide crisis medical care. A doctor is only available a few hours a week. |
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Sugar cane grows like a weed and our delegations have learned all about creating a sweet confection that is sold in neighboring communities as an extra source of income for our partner community. Here you see the melted sugar cane being stirred. |
| After it has been poured into a mold and cools, it is wrapped up and ready to sell. |
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The women's cattle cooperative has been growing significantly since we first seeded the idea with $5,000. Today, they have their first computer for keeping the business going! This PC and monitor were donated by members of 1st Pres. If you are thinking about upgrading your computer, please consider giving us your old one! Laptops would be an even greater blessing! |
| In 2001, one of the members of the delegation was a professional documentary producer. We have a ten minute documentary available (ask Arlene Schaupp for a copy) and will soon have a 30 minute video. Why not have a small party of friends, watch the video, and plan a trip to El Salvador? |
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Here's
the 2001 Delegation together with families from Communidad Octavio Ortiz.
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Here's the 2000 Delegation. Shouldn't you consider being part of the 2002 delegation? Imagine how much you'll learn and grow! |
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SOUTH BAY SANCTUARY COVENANT gives support and advocacy
to
Central American refugees and supports peace with justice in Central America,
including
supporting a partner community in El Salvador.
First Presbyterian Church is a major and founding supporter of
South Bay Sanctuary Covenant (since 1983).
REFUGEE NEEDS: Bunk beds, double bed,
dresser, and clothes for babies and young
children are needed by Central American refugees. Call (650) 494-8340
JOB HOTLINE - HELP CENTRAL AMERICAN REFUGEES WHILE YOU HELP YOURSELF
Reliable, hardworking men and women need jobs
while they rebuild their lives.
You name it. We’ll find the right worker for your needs.
Right now we have a lovely Salvadoran woman who loves to do cleaning, child
care, elder care and run errands, who speaks good English and has a reliable
car. She has excellent references.
Call the South Bay Sanctuary Covenant Job Hotline at 650-494-8340.
Or, make tax-deductible contributions by sending a check to:
University Lutheran / SBSC (South Bay Sanctuary
Covenant)
3290 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306
NOTE: SBSC is an auxiliary of University Lutheran Church of Palo Alto, a
501 (c)(3)
tax-deductible church.
Please note that special matching funds have
been set up to help the people of
El Salvador after the storms of October 2005. Donations to SBSC will be
doubled
by an anonymous donor, and then funds donated by SBSC to Voices of the Border
will be TRIPLED by a Canadian relieft agency.
