CRIPDES San Vicente
By Noel Andersen
March 10, 2006
My second week in the San Vicente region has helped me connect further with the community and those who I work with at the Association of Rural Communities for Development in El Salvador (CRIPDES). I continue to be impressed by the dedication of CRIPDES staff, their sense of leadership and the breadth of areas in which they work.
It was an exciting week here in San Vicente full of events and activities. Holy Spirit and Saint Mary’s University Parish parishes from Texas and Michigan came on delegations to visit the sister communities, Guajoyo and Miramar . This provided opportunity for the sister communities to meet with the local councils and women’s associations about community development projects. It was also very important that the delegation met with CRIPDES San Vicente office to gain a better understanding of the regional work they are supporting with various communities that in the past haven’t received the benefits of a sistering relationship and are in great need for the type of organizational development that CRIPDES promotes.
(Above photo: Members of Guajoyo Board eating with
Holy Spirit Contacts Larry and Mickey.)
On March 11, CRIPDES San-Vicente, the Association for Women in San Carlos Lempa (ASMUR) and other local women´s organizations in the area celebrated the International Women’s Day by organizing a demonstration in the center of San Carlos Lempa. Different women publicly spoke on the history of discrimination against women in El Salvador and throughout the world.
Women leaders expressed the importance of further struggle for women’s rights within El Salvador ’s very patriarchal societal structure through future involvement in the community by leading training sessions on gender studies, women´s rights and adult literacy. Speakers also highlighted the importance of women´s involvement within the political process on local and national levels. Lastly, ASMUR conducted their annual assembly to elect new
m embers to for the leadership council.
(Above photo: Women listen at International Women’s Day Celebration)
(Photo below: Tecoluca´s closing of the campaign at Sunset)
As many may already know, March has been full of preparation for the 2006 mayoral and representative elections here in El Salvador . CRIPDES in San Vicente has been very involved in educating local communities in the election process through providing training and workshops on voter information, importance of women’s right to vote, analysis of current political impact on human rights and proper training for those working the polls. These workshops have been designed to include women and youth throughout various areas such as Monte Ceni, Teohuacan, San Francisco and others. On Sunday, March 12 th the elections took place. In Tecolouca, where CRIPDES San-Vicente works, the FMLN candidates won another three-year term, creating expectations for continued collaboration between the municipal government and local organizations for development, health, education and human rights.
It has been a great learning experience to be part of delegations, women’s rights demonstrations and political involvement. All of these issues are interconnected to the larger causes of solidarity, human rights, social justice and sustainable development. Thank you for your participation in the struggle for a more just world.
In Solidarity,
Noel Andersen
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