The Global Connections delegation to El Salvador began on January 11, at the Salvadoran Embassy in Washington, where 16 WES members showed up to support 5 arrested environmental leaders, known as the Santa Marta 5. Twelve hours later, we boarded a 5:40 a.m. flight to San Salvador. Seven current and former WES members were joined by Nurse Practitioner, Gabriella Santamaria, immigration activist Cindy Conant and our stalwart guide and mentor, Cristina Starr. We were thrilled to have two WES El Salvador youth veterans, Kye Keeley and Maya Kosok with us this year and former WES member Christina Kachulis, a public health nurse who came all the way from Alaska to join the journey. WES/GC members Peggy Goetz, Lola Skolnik, Ross Wells and Pam Williams rounded out the delegation.
Our first full day in the capital began with a morning Press Conference on the Santa Marta 5 in a downtown hotel. As we entered the building, we were surprised to see former WES Senior Leader Don Montagna on his way out! The press conference announced the release of a report on the arrests and the current “State of Exception” in El Salvador. Vidalina Morales began the conference with a speech describing the nighttime arrests and their link to the reintroduction of mining in El Salvador. Vidalina is the President of ADES, the organization that WES partnered with to build the water system in El Rodeo, where Vidalina lives. Antonio Pacheco is the Director of ADES, one of the arrested leaders and someone we met with every year for 12 years. WES delegate Ross Wells introduced the report along with Bernie Hammonds, a Canadian representative, who was the lead author of the document. Bernie and Ross were later interviewed by a reporter from La Prensa Grafica, a leading daily in El Salvador. English and Spanish versions of the report are linked at the bottom of the page.
On Friday after the press conference, we visited Divina Providencia, the home of Monsignor Oscar Romero and the chapel where he was assassinated in 1980. Romero is ubiquitous in El Salvador. Children born long after his death recognize his importance in Salvadoran history. Each time we visit this sacred site, we are moved by Romero’s stand against the repression of the government and his promotion of justice, compassion and human rights.
Saturday was a travel day to El Rodeo. One the way we stopped in San Sebastian to connect Cindy with the family of Padre Vidal Rivas, an activist minister at San Mateo Episcopal Church in Hyattsville. San Sebastian is also famous for its woven textiles, made on handmade, people-powered wooden looms. Shopping was encouraged.
On Sunday we met with the new El Rodeo ADESCO (community council) to plan our activities for the week. It was decided that we would purchase materials and finish the installation of public trash cans, a project which was started in June of 2022. The ADESCO clarified the necessity of a road repair to ensure access to the water collection tank and solar panels for ongoing maintenance. Ross shared information from John Taylor of the possibility of funding the needed road repairs through the Rotarians. Discussion of a new “Casa Communal” (community center) also took place. The ADESCO organized an end of the week celebration, including games for the children, a summary of the delegation activities, an art project to honor Susan Runner, intergenerational dancing, pan dulce and hot chocolate! WES/Global Connections was presented with an award for “14 years of invaluable support and solidarity.”
On Wednesday Pam, Maya & Peggy were able to meet with the teachers at the school in El Rodeo. As always Amparo, Blanca and David were happy to see us and receive school supplies, games and puzzles for their students. They shared their concerns about the cuts in funding for education and changes to the national curriculum which they feel has reduced instruction time and provided only $1500 for the school, including a daily snack for an entire year. They have been forced to buy school supplies and other appropriate materials out of their own pockets. They continue to need and appreciate WES’s support for the students.
Kye Keeley reports: Playing soccer in El Rodeo was a fantastic experience filled with laughter, friendly competition, and shared passion for the game. I was excited that the local adult leagues let me join in their game and I consider that win one of my soccer career highlights!
We played every day at 4:00 pm until sundown. We also participated in a community-led trash pick-up initiative along the main road. There was a strong sense of unity that extended beyond the soccer field.
It was a joy watching the youth participate in the trash pick up day.
We felt very accomplished as a group at the end of the day when we were left with many giant bags of trash that await the arrival of the monthly trash truck
In nearby Santa Marta, we visited a huge, vibrant greenhouse, sponsored by our friends at ADES. The goal is to create a sustainable basis for food security through home gardens. While the initial hydroponic project began 20 years ago, it was too complex and expensive to maintain. Over the years, many young people have worked on the project and received training, both locally and internationally. It’s been a long, experimental process to find vegetables that grow well in their climate, but the healthy rows of tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouses demonstrate the success of this process. During the pandemic, with borders closed and vegetables scarce, the greenhouses served as an important source for fresh vegetables. Not only are vegetables sold, but workshops are held to support home gardeners with instructions on building micro-tunnels (mini greenhouses which help control weeds and insects) and cooking classes to introduce new vegetables.
Health clinics were offered Monday – Friday for free blood pressure and diabetes screening, as well as weight and height measurements. Led by Nurse Practitioner Gaby Santamaria and Public Health Nurse, Christinia Kachulis, adults and their children received individual counseling based on their scores. Children were given fluoride treatments, as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes. All residents of El Rodeo received a supply of toothpaste and toothbrushes for everyone in their household. A video of beloved dentist, Susan Runner, demonstrating proper tooth brushing played continuously at the clinic.
CPR and basic First Aid were taught in a separate session. Attendees got to practice techniques on each other and refresh their skills.
We were also able to visit our friend Walter, one of the Santa Marta 5, under house arrest at his home just a short walk from El Rodeo. He has high blood pressure and neurological problems and was denied access to medical care and prescription drugs, while in prison. Nurse Practitioner Gabriella was able to give him a health check-up and left him with a blood pressure cuff and instructions to his daughter on how to use it. This was our third visit with Walter and he seemed buoyed by our solidarity. Their case under El Salvador’s “State of Exception,” is under appeal this month.
At the end of the week, we traveled west to the department of Sonsunate to meet up with WES friend Lilo Gonzalez, at his ancestral home in Armenia. We spent the afternoon at a cultural center where we enjoyed an art exhibit, poetry and music by Lilo, his son Lilito, and Lilito’s band, Machetres.
As the day was coming to a close, we drove to the nearby town of Izalco, at the base of the most active volcano in El Salvador. There we joined a candlelight walk to commemorate the 1932 Matanza, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated thirty thousand indigenous people. At the gathering place we were approached by an educator who generously used an art exhibit to explain this historic event, preparing us for this sacred walk.
While the future of WES/GC teen delegations remains uncertain, we were buoyed by the presence and energy of young WES El Salvador veterans, Kye Keely and Maya Kosok. They were everywhere! Our hope is to keep the fabric of our Sister – Community relationship with El Rodeo intact and that WES will respond to the call.