SHARE's Programs

When I first received the itinerary for the Rutilio Grande delegation, I was excited to see that we were visiting a few women’s cooperatives. With the recent attention in the news on microfinance and the power of women working together to rise out of poverty, I was anxious to speak with women first-hand about their experiences with cooperatives and micro-lending.

We arrived in Chalchuapa to find 40 or so women from the organization Association of Women for Gender Equality (AMAIG), ranging from young mothers aged 12 or 13 to women in their late 60s, there to greet us. I was impressed with the age range and size of this group. The women’s organizations I’ve participated in are usually targeted to a homogeneous group with similar interests and of similar ages. I was curious to see how this multi-generational group functioned.

From the moment we began the presentation, it was apparent that everyone was a valued member of the group. Even after the meeting began, we would stop to welcome and introduce the women who continued to trickle in. They’d been traveling for miles, many walking, to be part of the group, and the other women wanted to acknowledge their effort to be there. The effort wasn’t just because 15 people were there from the U.S. to learn about them. They regularly have this level of attendance.

Doris, the group’s leader, told us about the resistance from the community when she first started the women’s group. Men called her a home-wrecker, and some were forbidding their wives to attend the meetings. One woman told us that her husband had to be convinced that the group "wasn’t a threat to him. Now he’s the one who reminds her when it is time to leave for the meetings because he’s noticed the positive impact it has had on her – and his – life. Doris was trained at the Institute for Women of El Salvador (IMU) and was told to start a group of 10 women, but women were stopping her on the bus, in the streets and asking why they were excluded. Eventually Doris expanded the group – now there are 143 members.

This group has accomplished much in their short existence, but the value of the organization goes way beyond the services they offer. In anticipating my visit to AMAIG, my mind had jumped directly to, “What are they doing?", instead of appreciating that this organization even existed. The true power of this group was in forming a community.

The power of community organizing continually impressed me while on this delegation. The Salvadoran government doesn’t have the infrastructure, resources or possibly incentive to provide basic services to poor and rural citizens. Instead, local co-ops and organizations are pooling their resources, voices and energy to lift the circumstances of entire communities.

When they started sharing their stories, you could see why so many women begged Doris to let them join. A woman over 60 talked about how lonely she had been and how this group had given her a sense of belonging for the first time in her life. A young mother shared her appreciation for the support and mentoring she’s receiving as a new parent. Several women spoke of the general confidence they developed by being part of this group. They all came across as confident, articulate presenters, but apparently very few had been that way just a short time ago. For an organization just 18 months old, the safety net, friendship and positive support that already existed was tremendous.

Then they shared the specifics of what they were learning. A 65-year-old can read for the first time in her life – as can many others. Another woman bravely shared that she had learned that she had the right to stand up to her husband who was sexually and physically abusing her. Not only did she learn about her rights but she felt supported enough to confront him on this issue. He left her – but she smiled and said at least her problem left with him. Doris confided that there were many cases of domestic violence, and in the last 18 months, through education and developed confidence of the women, these incidents have reduced dramatically.

AMAIG is tackling many other topics. They are trying to reduce teenage pregnancy and lobbying the schools to allow pregnant girls and young mothers to continue their education.

Then the topic moved to economics. My immediate impression of AMAIG was that this community was much poorer than the other areas we visited, and it didn’t appear that they were living off of remittances from family members living in the U.S. They were responsible for their own survival, yet the only industry in the region seemed to be sweat shops and possibly some agriculture. For women, the only real employment opportunity was with the sweatshops, where they start at age 14 earning $5 a day, and they’re fired at age 28 – a policy brought about by studying when women start to demand more money and begin to lose some of their dexterity and speed. Almost everyone in the group over 28 had to find another way to support themselves since there rarely was a contributing man in the picture.

Several started their own businesses. One sold tortillas outside the school while someone else was at the sweatshop, another made sweet breads and some took in sewing and laundry. Five of these businesses were started last year when the group split a grant of $250.

They’d like to help others start more businesses but haven’t found access to financing. The banking regulations and policies of smaller lenders are stacked against them since they won’t loan to women’s groups consisting of more than 10 people. Individuals had to have their name on the deed of a home, which isn’t common for the women of El Salvador. When you think that the average bank loan is $43,000, and these women are looking for $100 – clearly, they aren’t a market that people want to serve.

As we wrapped up, Doris reminded us all that this group was just beginning and that they have big plans for the future -- further literacy training, reduced sexual assaults, possibly a daycare and further business lending.

I have no doubt they will make this happen. With strong leadership and dedication, these women can truly alter their own lives and raise the community around them. All of this through the power of women coming together, teaching and supporting each other to be confident, valued Salvadorans.

Although this delegation highlighted so many issues facing El Salvador and how poor in material wealth many Salvadorans are, it also showed that they were rich in community – something many of us in the U.S. will never experience to the same degree. The power of this community is a hopeful sign for the future of El Salvador.

En solidaridad,

Erin Moyer

Erin participated in the March 2007 SHARE delegation to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the martyrdom of Rutilio Grande, SJ. She lives in Seattle, Washington, works in communications and is the sister-in-law of SHARE board member, Franciso Lopez.