|
Grassroots Weekly Update
The Association of Communities for Rural Development in El Salvador
By Noel Andersen
March 24, 2006
In my fourth week of working with CRIPDES in San Vicente, I have been paying close attention to the different levels of organization in each community according to context, situation and history. SHARE and CRIPDES are focusing on regional based development among various communities because in the past those without sistering relationships have found themselves behind in organizational and developmental support. With a regional focus there is a larger vision of solidarity that moves throughout many communities who need support, rather than just a few.
(Photo: Tecoluca Mayor Simon Amaya swears in Tres de Marzo Community Council to be legally recognized.)
 I went with CRIPDES to a community called Tres de Marzo, who still did not have a legally recognized council or a women’s committee. The new Mayor, Simon Amaya, and CRIPDES´ Marina Diaz supported the process of creating an official council which will provide greater opportunity to have project proposals approved. It was very important for the council of Tres de Marzo to become official so they can more effectively advocate against ISTA, a government branch, which has planned to remove them from the land they won through the Land Transfer Program (PTT) of the 1992 Peace Accords. CRIPDES is working closely with the community against this government initiative. Now that they are a legal council, the advocacy process can begin.
When Tres de Marzo’s council began to form the women’s committee, many of the women were intimidated by volunteering because of lack of literacy, or the fear of having more to do apart from the heavy workload of caring for their families. Marina, from CRIPDES, spoke strongly to encourage participation, “For CRIPDES, part of our goal is to make sure women are represented on the council and have a voice within community organization. All women are capable here.” At the end of the meeting they had begun the formation of a women’s committee with a president, vice-president and secretary.
(Photo: Work plan meeting in Casino)
 Later that week I visited a community called Casino, whose council was also struggling somewhat in its organization. CRIPDES’ Erika Murcia led the council in a work plan to establish organization and dates for the proposal process necessary to find project approval from the mayor. Some of the problems dealt with included: contaminated water, deforestation, community center maintenance, new streets and further civil participation. Important reflection and analysis came from the council as they discussed how to further involve youth and women in the council. The women’s committee explored how to recruit more women and receive trainings around gender equality and sexuality.
Each community or association has its own struggle with a different set of successes and conflicts. The Association of Women in San Carlos Lempa (ASMUR) is a women´s organization born from SHARE and CRIPDES´ influence. ASMUR continues to show its growth by reaching out to various communities. Together ASMUR and CRIPDES organized a celebration on March 21st to commemorate the death of Olga Estela, who was killed for an unknown reason on March 19 th, 1985. Olga was honored for being a strong women’s activist in the  community as a teacher that promoted women’s rights and mental health during the difficult times of El Salvador’s Civil War. Women from eighteen different communities in the area came to participate, listen and watch arts presentations of dance and song. Maritza Amaya, Edith Portillo and Marina Diaz from CRIPDES were all keynote speakers at the celebration, promoting the progress of the women’s empowerment struggle within San Vicente.
(Photo: Women stand and applaud the progressive work they´ve done for women´s rights in San Vicente)
Together SHARE and CRIPDES follow the same vision of solidarity that is inclusive and reaches out to various communities throughout. The support shown by sistering communities to move forward in this grand vision has been essential. Together we work to further spread the seeds of solidarity.
In solidarity,
Noel Andersen
| 
UPDATES ARCHIVE