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Grassroots Weekly Update
CRIPDES San Vicente
by Noel Andersen
March 17, 2006
Association for Development of Rural Communities in El Salvador
“Before, we saw ourselves as unimportant without esteem, now we have
changed and we know we have importance.”
-Ana Rosales, Women’s Committee of Granzaso
My time in San Vicente has continued to be a rich experience. The more communities I meet the more I am impressed by their dedication to create organization and development to their communities despite conflicts and difficulties.
This week Erika Murcia, from (CRIPDES), and I met with the Granzaso community council to discuss their recent projects, organizational development and conflicts. A constructive agreement was made for youth, women and the general committees to start integrating their planning and working together, rather than separately on projects. Throughout the year the youth have been planning hikes, trips to the beach, community gatherings and fundraising events. The youth committee has been part of community water projects and has recently begun the construction of a public basketball court.
(Photo: Women´s Committee of Granzaso and Erika Murcia (standing) of CRIPDES).
 The women’s committee of Granzaso expressed to me their gratefulness to CRIPDES as one woman, Ana Rosales, commented, “Before, we saw ourselves as unimportant without esteem, now we have changed and we know we have importance.” This year the women have promoted six different training workshops in Granzaso from CRIPDES and the Micro-region of Social Economics (MES) dealing with women’s rights, gender studies, sexuality and public speech. The Granzaso women have also been creating fundraising activities so that they will be ready financially for the community celebration of Mother’s day where they put on dramatic skits, dance and speeches on women’s rights. Lastly, they are part of an economic sustainable program wherein five women are chosen according to their financial and family scenario to raise cattle for small profits.
CRIPDES’ Maritza Amaya works consistently on a different issue that affects a cross section of Salvadorans, including women, youth, children and more. Water contamination is a grave problem in El Salvador. Seventy percent of drinking water has a dangerous level of harmful bacteria and ninety percent of wells are contaminated. The issue of unclean water is interconnected to a variety of issues including health rights, environmental protection, privatization of water and lack of accessibility for marginal and poor communities. CRIPDES San Vicente has continued to work on sustainable solutions.
 A forum was held in Tecoluca last Tuesday, March 14 th, as the final presentation in a three year water systems improvement project where CRIPDES and the Association of Humanitarian Assistance (PROVIDA) have worked to bring increased access of potable water to six sectors who make up over fifty communities. The forum was designed to bring research, analysis and reflection on the national situation of water rights. Community leaders from all sectors attended and were given a chance to speak about the problems they have faced with water management. Although much work has been accomplished, accessibility and contamination are still problems.
(Photo: Water Cistern in San Carlos Lempa).
Last week, another three-year project was approved by the Swiss Assistant Project to fund CRIPDES and PROVIDA in their work to organize communities around water rights. This project will include training on water system operation, cleaning of wells, advocacy against privatization of water, assistance to Hurricane Stan Victims and the continued monitoring and research of water quality.
Community organization and development projects as important as water access are continual struggles here in El Salvador. In San Vicente, CRIPDES is at the head of coordinating the necessary processes to nurture growth in health rights, youth projects and women’s empowerment.
Hasta La Victoria Siempre,
Noel Andersen
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