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are blessed by our long relationship with this fine organization!
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WHAT IS SOUTH BAY SANCTUARY COVENANT (SBSC)? SBSC is an ecumenical group of churches, religious groups and concerned individuals from Redwood City to Los Gatos. We began in 1983 by assisting Central American refugees living among us. Later we expanded our concern to include some of the crucial problems facing people in El Salvador that were forcing them to flee to the U.S. In general we have advocated for better local and federal policies in order to improve conditions for refugees here and in Central American countries. More specifically, here are some of the issues we’ve addressed: 1.Serious violations of workers rights in sweatshops in U.S. and abroad including Central America where we have met with workers and organizers. 2.The need to close the School of the Americas, which has included methods of torture in its training and has graduates with records of terrible crimes. 3.Human rights including health care for local refugees. Immigration attorney, Richard Hobbs, has spoken at several of our events. 4.The need for US AID to give earthquake relief through NGO’s and not through the government. 5.Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for refugees from Guatemala and El Salvador. We worked with ACLU and with Rep. Ed Zschau and Rep. Tom Lantos regarding the need for this legislation and got their support. This legislation finally passed after several years of work. We also have an annual delegation of people primarily from the Bay Area who visit El Salvador and our partner community, La Canoa, in the Lower Lempa River Basin in Usulutan. We educate ourselves regarding the needs there and raise funds throughout the year to support La Canoa, as well as other communities in the region. Besides emergency relief for Hurricane Mitch, annual floods in the rainy season, and last year’s terrible earthquakes, money goes to fund projects whereby communities develop self-sufficiency and democratic power through effective advocacy. Voices on the Border, a small but very effective NGO, is our liaison with our partner community and advises us on projects. The El Salvador Country Director of VOTB sees that funds are used effectively by working with the local leaders, networking with the leaders of surrounding communities, and supporting them in securing training to increase their leadership capacity. In 1996 during the presidential elections, our delegates served as official international election observers. At that time both Congressman Mike Honda and Richard Hobbs wanted to join our group as observers, but heavy work commitments made this impossible. Money is being raised for: a) a monthly stipend of $300 for Marilu, the health promoter for La Canoa and several surrounding communities. Marilu walks to people’s homes day and night to give emergency care, to be midwife, and to reinforce the importance of hygiene regarding latrines, water, food preparation, and diet. A main concern is the malnourishment of approximately 35% of the children in La Canoa. b) medicines, natural medicines, and medical supplies for use by Marilu. People are suffering from easily treatable conditions and illness due to lack of medicines. c) repair of houses after hurricane damage. $200 provides raw material, tools, equipment, and technical supervision to repair one unsafe earthquake-damaged home in the Lower Lempa River basin. PLEASE JOIN US ON OUR NEXT DELEGATION Next Delegation in March 2007South Bay Sanctuary Covenant invites you on our March delegation to El Salvador. Check back on this page for more details as they become available later this year or contact Arlene Schaupp for the latest news on trips to El Salvador.
HELP OTHERS WHILE YOU HELP YOURSELF
WONDERFUL, HARDWORKING MEN AND WOMEN WILL HELP WITH GARDENING, HOUSECLEANING,
ETC. AND REALLY NEED WORK!
Call the South Bay Sanctuary Covenant Job Hotline at (650) 494-8340. SOUTH BAY SANCTUARY COVENANT |
