SHARE's Milestones

Time Line 1981-2004

1981 Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research and Education Foundation founded in Washington, DC. New El Salvador Today (NEST) founded in the San Francisco Bay Area.

1982 SHARE works with Salvadoran refugees in Mesa Grande, Honduras. NEST continues supporting economic development projects.

1983 SHARE begins accompanying refugee communities as they battle the Honduran’s government efforts to relocate them further into country.

1984 SHARE publicizes refugees’ treatment by the Honduran Armed forces and the militarization of the camps.

1986 SHARE and NEST mobilize financial and political support for the victims of the October earthquake. SHARE launches the Sister Parish Program.

1987 GOING HOME CAMPAIGN begins: repatriations from Mesa Grande.

1988 SHARE provides moral, political, and financial support to refugees returning home from Mesa Grande.

1989 The Jesuits and two women are assassinated at the UCA. SHARE and NEST grieve their loss and commit to celebrate their lives and contributions.

1990 SHARE & GOING HOME reaches one million-dollar goal form their “Seeds of Hope Campaign”.

1992 January 16, 1992: Historic signing of the Peace Accords in Chapultepec, Mexico. In October 1992: SHARE and NEST merge and become SHARE Foundation: Building a New El Salvador Today.

1992-1994 Major advocacy focus is on the completion of the land transfer program outlined in the Peace Accords.

1995-1997 Tecoluca becomes SHARE’s target area for rural development support. Debt forgiveness of the land transfer debt acquired.

1998-1999 October 31, 1998: Hurricane Mitch devastates the Lower Lempa Communities.  SHARE expands target area work further into Zacatecoluca, La Paz, and Lower Lempa Area of Usulútan.

2000 Twentieth anniversary of Monsignor Oscar Romero’s death and memorial delegations from abroad unite people of all countries. Over 60 women religious attend a SHARE delegation in honor of the 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of the four US churchwomen.

2001 Earthquakes ravage El Salvador, SHARE mobilizes support and funds projects with long-term development vision.  $44 million dike and drainage system in the Lower Lempa completed as a result of SHARE funding, advocacy, and accompaniment.

2002 SHARE hosts 20th Anniversary celebrations in El Salvador and the United States culminating with a 3-day celebration in DC.

2003 SHARE continues its transition from the Lower Lempa to the new target area in Chalchuapa and Atiquizaya, in the west part of the country.

2004 SHARE accompanies the observation of the presidential electoral process with a delegation of 112 people.

2005 Over 140 delegates come to El Salvador to celebrate the 25 th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Monsignor Romero. SHARE works at the forefront of the advocacy fight against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Although CAFTA passed, it was the most contested trade debate ever.