SHARE's Programs

I want to share with you the inspiring stories of four SHARE scholarship recipients. Through creativity, vision and hard work, these students are in the process of transforming their dreams into reality. The dreams of these young women and men are universal. They remind me of my own three sons and their aspirations to gain the skills and experiences necessary to contribute to the world – each in their own unique way. I am humbled by the deep and abiding faith of these youth who are embracing a new future for El Salvador, rooted in justice.

As you likely know, accessing education in El Salvador is extremely challenging. The youth of El Salvador are faced with a post-war period filled with violence and few opportunities. Many of the youth in the communities where we work do not have the resources to go to college. According to a recent survey, faced with these obstacles, nine out of ten Salvadoran youth wish to leave the country for the U.S.

SHARE provides resources to local leaders who are already dedicating their lives to organizing communities and creating alternatives for youth to remain in El Salvador. These scholarship recipients participate in community service and local organizations; they are also committed to continue working in their regions after they finish their education, applying what they have learned to their home communities. Though statistics about El Salvador can be depressing, these young leaders represent hope and a better future for their county and are part of a whole generation of young Salvadorans who are committed to carrying forward the work of all those who have sacrificed to secure an enduring peace for El Salvador .

In 1997, Erika became involved in community organization through El Platanar’s sports committee, serving as treasurer for an all-male soccer team. She then served a two-year term as secretary for the community council, in addition to joining the council of the community sports committee. She also served four years as president of the community youth committee. Erika joined the Association of Rural Communities for Development (CRIPDES) in 2002 as a youth promoter. She is presently the Coordinator of Sistering and International Partnerships between communities in San Vicente and California, Minnesota, Texas and Michigan; she also works with her community council in resolving the problem of securing land titles for members of the community and community lands.

Erika is currently pursuing a five-year degree in social work at the Universidad Luterana and will apply her newly acquired skills to the organizing in which she is already involved.

Due to the armed conflict in El Salvador, Maritza grew up in a Nicaraguan refugee camp, where she first became involved in grassroots organizing. In 1991, at age 12, she returned to El Salvador. Four years later, she began working on the pastoral committee of her local church. M aritza currently works with CRIPDES-San Vicente as a promoter. She has been organizing community and regional forums on water and health, as well as workshops for youth on self-esteem and personal development. She is also working with a women’s association to train fifteen women on the production of milk products.

Maritza is earning a five-year law degree at the Universidad Luterana. With no attorneys in her community, people have to travel long distances and spend a lot of money to access legal assistance. Maritza plans to open her law firm in the heart of her community and provide services related to land titles, domestic violence, divorce and other legal matters.

Gerardo first became involved in local organization through training workshops in a rural youth program. He particularly excelled in the folkloric and modern dance troupe, of which he was a member for six years. In 2005, when his high school classmate left her position as CRIPDES Administrator, he applied for and won his current position in the same post. Gerardohas been a member of his community's youth committee since 2003 and is a voting member of the community association. He helps with the cultural festival of the rural youth – a regional event with dance, music and theater and a space for youth to share their experiences, including entrepreneurship projects – and also participating in developing a tourist project for the region.

Gerardo has decided to study a five-year degree in English at the Universidad Tecnológica, in order to more fully promote the region’s international relations and attend to visiting individuals and delegations.

The youngest of these scholarship recipients, Yasmin has only recently become involved with community organizing. She is following in the footsteps of her mother, Edith Portillo, who is a member of the CRIPDES regional team. Y asminis the principal youth leader of her community. She organizes fundraising activities to purchase sports equipment for the youth, volunteers with the community council in a cleaning campaign and supported the exhumations of the massacre of Angulo.

Yasmin is finishing up her first semester in English at the Universidad Tecnológica. Her goal upon the completion of this five-year degree is to encourage international relations and visits to her country. She also wishes to promote tourism and the ecological park in the San Vicente Volcano sponsored by the municipality of Tecoluca and supported by the Basque government of Spain and SHARE.

When we support Erika, Maritza, Gerardo and Yasmin, we are creating benefits that will last well beyond the lifetime of a scholarship. We are creating a multiplying effect that reaches thousands of Salvadorans. Thank you for supporting the youth of El Salvador to study and find incentives to stay and plant their roots in the fertile ground of El Salvador. They have energy and new ideas to tackle current problems such as land legalization, strengthen community organizing and promote international exchanges and eco-tourism. Indeed, they have the dreams and vision to build a new El Salvador!

Best wishes for you and your loved ones during the holidays and a healthy and prosperous 2007!

En Solidaridad,

Jose Artiga

Executive Director