Frequently Asked Questions
International Forum on Human Rights in El Salvador
& Commemorating the 42nd Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Four U.S. Churchwoman
& Commemorating the 42nd Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Four U.S. Churchwoman
1. Who is invited?
The SHARE Foundation and the Association defender of Human Rights Tutela Legal Maria Julia Hernández.
2. What are the dates?
November 29 to December 5, 2022
3. What is the Cost?
$960.00 plus airfare. This includes all your expenses in country: housing, food, translation, in country transportation, partner honoraria, and organization of events.
4. Can I apply for a partial scholarship?
Please send a letter to [email protected]. We also have many ideas and suggestions on how to fundraise for this trip, please contact José at +1 510 848 8487
5. When do I pay?
- A $100 NON REFUNDABLE deposit is due on or before October 1, 2022
- Second payment is due on or before October 30, 2022;
- Final payment is due on or before November 16, 2022. Please send a check to SHARE Foundation 2425 College Ave. Berkeley CA 94704. Write in check memo line “Human Rights Delegation.” If you pay online at SHARE-elsalvador.org, please add a 3% processing fee for a total of $988.80
6. What airport do I fly to
Arrive in El Salvador’s Monsignor Oscar Romero Airport (SAL) anytime on November 29th. Depart after noon on December 5th from El Salvador’s Airport
7. Where will we stay?
We will stay in humble guest house or hotels in El Salvador. We will have simple, comfortable rooms with two to four beds per room. Meals are simple and healthy and we will have access to purified water is at all times.
8. Who should come on this delegation?
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9. Should I go if I have mobility restrictions? Yes
Yes, we will accommodate you. Delegates will be expected to be able to walk at least one block. Travel is on buses often on rough roads. Some accommodations will be made during events such as the Via Cruces that delegates process in. A vehicle will be following the procession to accommodate people’s needs.
It will be important that delegates have a supply of their own OTC and prescription medications. Delegates with medical knowledge will be included in the delegation and will be able to assist with common medical issues.
It will be important that delegates have a supply of their own OTC and prescription medications. Delegates with medical knowledge will be included in the delegation and will be able to assist with common medical issues.
10. Are there concerns about safety?
El Salvador are among the most violent countries in the region. Our itinerary is developed in close collaboration with social organizations in El Salvador who are aware of the risks and mindful to reduce them in every possible way. We will be lodged in secure locations and nighttime travel by the delegation will be limited as much as possible. Traveling in groups also provides an additional degree of safety and delegation members always need to be accompanied be another delegate. We will not participate in demonstrations or knowingly enter situations that would put us at risk. Nevertheless, it is important to know that El Salvador and Honduras have high levels of crime, gang activity, and state-sanctioned repression. This is part of the daily reality of people’s lives and contributes heavily to the continuous flow of people who can no longer live safely at home and who must seek asylum elsewhere, including in the United States. This delegation is one of accompaniment, and we encourage participants to consider both the risks and the rewards of this form of activism.
SHARE and ----have sponsored these delegations for several decades following very strict security measures and, thanks to God and our martyrs, we have had zero incidents. The U.S. Department of State downgraded the travel alert for El Salvador from Level 3, “reconsider travel”, to Level 2, “exercise increased caution.
”Please, review the alerts and recommendations in the following link https://www.osac.gov/Country/ElSalvador/Detail. If you are extremely concerned about the safety of the trip, we recommend you forego the travel and find ways other ways to support the delegation and local events for the anniversary celebration.
https://sv.usembassy.gov/es/alerta-de-seguridad-embajada-de-los-estados-unidos-en-san-salvador-el-salvador-27-de-abril-de-2022/
SHARE and ----have sponsored these delegations for several decades following very strict security measures and, thanks to God and our martyrs, we have had zero incidents. The U.S. Department of State downgraded the travel alert for El Salvador from Level 3, “reconsider travel”, to Level 2, “exercise increased caution.
”Please, review the alerts and recommendations in the following link https://www.osac.gov/Country/ElSalvador/Detail. If you are extremely concerned about the safety of the trip, we recommend you forego the travel and find ways other ways to support the delegation and local events for the anniversary celebration.
https://sv.usembassy.gov/es/alerta-de-seguridad-embajada-de-los-estados-unidos-en-san-salvador-el-salvador-27-de-abril-de-2022/
11. What are the expectations for preparation and follow-up for this trip?
Some weeks before the program begins, you’ll be asked to engage with study materials that will help you understand the people and places we will visit, as well as the long history of US intervention in the region. Upon your return home, we hope you will find many ways to share your experience and all that you’ve learned with your community and that you will actively engage with your members of congress. We will support you with ideas and resources for action and advocacy. Those with particular skills will be asked to organize presentations, blog, write, and contact media. We hope to develop a Call to Action to continue with the spirit of struggle of our martyrs.
We invite all delegates to organize a report back in the first quarter of 2023 where you can share and inspire your community.
We will invite 4 women leaders OR human rights defenders from El Salvador to visit several cities in the US to share their work in April/May 2023; we invite you to consider hosting them.
We invite all delegates to organize a report back in the first quarter of 2023 where you can share and inspire your community.
We will invite 4 women leaders OR human rights defenders from El Salvador to visit several cities in the US to share their work in April/May 2023; we invite you to consider hosting them.
12. When is the deadline for applications?
Deadline is October 15th, 2022
13. How does the State of Exception affect the delegation and the people in rural communities?
SHARE and Sister Cities just did a webinar with youth in rural communities/sister parishes on this theme; the youth are strong and are analyzing how to endure this unjust law. They shared that gatherings of youth of 25 people are shrinking to 10 youth. One youth shared that the police came to his house because it was reported that a group of 7 youth were gathering there, the 7 youth are his relatives. Now more than ever, the communities need our presence, we want to let them know they have friends and are not alone. We invite our friends to join the delegation and visit these communities to express our love and solidarity. If you cannot make it, you can send a message of support.
14. What is the COVID situation in the country?
As in the US COVID is here to stay. During the pandemic SHARE has organized 5 delegations to El Salvador and Honduras, we were there for the beatification of Fr Rutilio Grande, Fr Espesoto, Nelson and Manuel, we were in Chalatenango with a delegation from Canada for the inauguration of a water project with the community and the Bishop of Chalatenango. We were in Honduras accompanying the Guapinol 8, with no incidents of covid. We follow a strict protocol of using mask, distancing, COVID test, meetings in the open and any guidelines by the US CDC. We encourage delegates with compromised health issues to stay home and follow the delegation online.