SHARE's Programs

I am more convinced than ever in the power of solidarity, national and international. Solidarity is really another name for love - the loving of groups of people who need support by groups of people who truly care. Not only does this solidarity help solve desperate problems, but it gives hope; it affirms to the suffering people that they are not alone, and it urges them on in their struggle for changes that will bring dignity to their lives.

Sincerely,

Gigi Gruenke

P.S. I ask for your solidarity to help us continue to rebuild our communities.

Gigi is a Maryknoll Lay Missioner who lives and works with a pastoral team in the Bajo Lempa area of Usulután, El Salvador . As a clinical social worker, she is deeply involved in the area of mental health. For the past 5 years she has also been a member of the SHARE Board.

SHARE collaborated with other national and international organizations in coordinating immediate emergency relief efforts by developing temporary shelters in schools and churches while providing food, mattresses, clothing and hygiene items. SHARE placed $17,000 in support of the emergency relief effort.

With a spirit of rebuilding, Salvadorans are now focused on reconstruction. Through the generosity of individual supporters, foundations and religious orders, SHARE has raised over $60,000 toward the $147,000 requested by partner organizations for the following efforts:

Replanting crops has been an essential part of reconstruction to develop a sustainable supply of food and to rebuild hope within devastated communities and return a sense of control to at least part their lives. SHARE is supporting alternative agricultural projects utilizing humid-farming and hydroponic methods after the floods through CONFRAS, CODESMA and CREDHO.

SHARE is supporting mental health programs, workshops and trainings to help victims who have suffered great loss and damage in the floods recover, become active in their community and restart their lives. The partner organizations with mental health programs include ASPS and ACAMG in Jiquilisco and San Marcos , and ACISAM, CRIPDES, ASMUR in Tecoluca and CODESMA in La Libertad.

Advocacy : SHARE is working with Tecoluca’s CDM and the communities of Jiquilisco and San Marcos to develop a strategic plan of reconstruction while advocating for repaired levees, plumbing, drains and roads. Maria Madre de Los Pobres in San Jacinto and Chacra of San Salvador will work with SHARE to advocate for new public works so that future floods and mudslide can be prevented. This group will also be requesting housing assistance for victim families while petitioning for clean rivers, pipe repair and laws to develop further environmental protection.

Solidarity With Guatemala: SHARE is providing a five thousand dollar grant to the IDEX Foundation that is supporting relief and reconstruction efforts in the rural areas of San Marcos, Concepcion Tutuap and Chiquirichapa. The relief effort from local NGOs is especially important in rural parts of Guatemala instead of military relief workers because rural indigenous communities still do not trust military forces from the frequent massacres of the past in their thirty-six year Civil War of 1960-96.