ElSalWiki

<META name="ROBOTS" content="NOINDEX,NOFOLLOW">

RRUC El Salvador Delegation 2006 Wiki

1. RRUC El Salvador Delegation 2006 Wiki
   1. News
   2. Contact Information
   3. Reminders
   4. Participants
   5. Daily Blog
      1. Day One Sunday July 2, 2006
      2. Day Two Monday July 3, 2006
      3. Day Three Tuesday July 4, 2006
      4. Day Four Wednesday July 5, 2006
      5. Day Five Thursday July 6, 2006
      6. Day Six Friday July 7, 2006
      7. Day Seven Saturday July 8, 2006
      8. Day Eight Sunday July 9, 2006
      9. Day Nine Monday July 10, 2006
      10. Day Ten Tuesday July 11, 2006
      11. Day Eleven Wednesday July 12, 2006
      12. Day Twelve Thursday July 13, 2006
      13. Day Thirteen Friday July 13, 2006
      14. Day Fourteen Saturday July 14, 2006

News

1. This wiki provides a simple way to provide updates on the adventure.

2. Instructions on how to use a wiki are found below.

   • To edit this page just click on one of the edit buttons

     • edit buttons are located at the top and bottom of the page

   • Click on the save button when you are done.

   • If you login and create an account you can subscribe to the wiki and receive and email when someone posts an update.

   • If folks are interested I can setup accounts for everyone in advance.

     • please let me know if you would like an account setup and would like help doing so.

Contact Information

1. to the families - In case of an emergency you can also call Tim or Ivan of CoCoDA (in case they are not at the office). Their numbers are:

   • Tim: 317/691-7455

   • Ivan: 317/319-2473

2. the full mailing list!

Babyman666@aol.com barbgeiser@verizon.net besttapper@gmail.com blame.freud@gmail.com blondie02576@gmail.com bransmaller@yahoo.com CAClark53@aol.com cadanville@pepco.com cbigler@aspensys.com chris.engebretson@gmail.com ctrippe@mathematica-mpr.com david.geiser@hq.doe.gov Dchery@aol.com Ddledgerlover@aol.com deamon.cocoda@igc.org Dej281@aol.com dmartell@bellatlantic.net englandcarol@yahoo.com evekornhauser@hotmail.com everest.associates@erols.com eye2347@gmail.com Friedsaul@aol.com fsamuels@comcast.net habaloo@gmail.com hsitar@verizon.net Imani2468@aol.com jbarnhard@may-barnhard.com JENICE@aol.com Jeremy.elessarelfstone@gmail.com Jewelz612@aol.com joannek@comcast.net jules065@comcast.net leepers@verizon.net Lisadaniel@aol.com mark.friedrichs@hq.doe.gov mdkogan7@hotmail.com mes784925@yahoo.com MFriches925@aol.com mhilken@herosjourney.com Michaelasitar@cs.com Mizmissy3216@aol.com MMattis@aol.com moorej@netscape.com nissan231@gmail.com peterengebretson@earthlink.com qnorthrup@frontiernet.net ryan_Monroe@hotmail.com sjgriffinmd@comcast.net stratton@computer.org sunkissed722@hotmail.com The4spanglers@aol.com timothy.daniel@nera.com vgwinner@hsrnet.com Warmsunflower@aol.com wgwinner@worldbank.org

Reminders

1. Everyone will have to purchase a tourist card upon your arrival in San Salvador- the cost is $10. So please bring a $10 bill to make this process as quick as possible.

2. Remember, pack lightly!! See you soon!!

3. HAVE FUN!!!

Participants

1. Helen Sitar => HelenSitar + Parental Units

2. Katie Barnhard => KatieBarnhard + Parental Units (GaryBarnhard & JudyBarnhard)

3. C

4. D

5. E

6. F

Daily Blog

• News from the El Salvador has tended to come in a bit slow. Feel free to post any incoming messages you receive.

Day One Sunday July 2, 2006

1. Almost everyone was at the airport on time

2. Everyone remembered their passport

3. Everyone remembered the two photographs

4. Everyone actually made it through security

5. >>> "Elizabeth Hubley" < elizabeth.hubley@gmail.com> 7/2/2006 5:58 PM >>>

   • Hi everyone,I just wanted to send a quick note to let you all know that the delegation (and all their luggage) arrived safely to El Salvador.

   • We are all settled in the guest house and are looking forward to our 2 weeks here. We'll send an update in the next few days! Best, Liz (and the rest of the group!)

Day Two Monday July 3, 2006

Day Three Tuesday July 4, 2006

Day Four Wednesday July 5, 2006

1. >>> "Katie Barnhard" < blondie02576@gmail.com> 07/05/06 5:45 PM >>>

   • Hey mom and dad. Hope you guys are doing good. El Salvador is mucho divertido (very fun) but I have to say I wish I payed more attention in Spanish Class. I hope you enjoy Pirates, please email me details. luv yah - Katie

Day Five Thursday July 6, 2006

1. >>> "Elizabeth Hubley" < elizabeth.hubley@gmail.com> 7/6/2006 11:12 AM >>>

   • Dear Friends and Families, Greetings from Santa Marta, El Salvador! I am writing to let you all

know of recent events that happened here in El Salvador.

• Most importantly, we are safe and having a great time here in the community.

• The Salvadoran government recently raised the bus fares 20%. Needless to say, the people here are not happy and are finding it difficult to pay such high prices for transportation. Some students organized a peaceful march outside of the University of El Salvador, in the capital of San Salvador, asking the government to lower prices. Unfortunately, they were met with hostility from the national guard and national police force. Two police officers were killed and various students wounded. By the early afternoon, news reports we watched on tv reported the situation had calmed.

• The marches and police presence are currently limited to the center of San Salvador, and we are monitoring the situation carefully and safely from the rural community of Santa Marta. We are more than 3 hours away from the capital and therefore greatly removed from this issue. Our itinerary keeps us far from the capitol until next Friday, when we have a meeting with the US embassy. We expect the situation to calm by then, but if not, we will definitely make alternate arrangements.

• We ask that you not worry because we are safe and having a great time here working alongside the Santa Martans on various projects. Everyone is happy and healthy. If you have any questions, please contact the CoCoDA office at cocodaindy@igc.org

• Hope everything is going well with all of you, we'll be in touch! Best, Liz

Day Six Friday July 7, 2006

Day Seven Saturday July 8, 2006

Day Eight Sunday July 9, 2006

Day Nine Monday July 10, 2006

1. >>> Ivan - CoCoDA < ivan.cocoda@igc.org> 7/10/2006 9:24 AM >>>

   • Dear Friends, I hope you had a great weekend. Please find below an update with photographs from the delegation. I am sure you will appreciate the details and insight of Helen's report. We thought you might like to hear from the kids. After all, this trip is for them, we are just riding along. We will send another report towards the end of the week, prior to

departure to the US. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any questions. Regards, Ivan

1. Hello parents (and other family members)! Greetings from Suchitoto, in far off Central America, more specifically the top of a bunkbed that is currently inhabited by five American youth. This is Helen Sitar writing on behalf of all your children. Since I am the only youth that agreed to write the email and the one with the most parents, I am writing the all-important update. I apologize if my interpretations and descriptions clash with the few scarce details you may have received, but here goes.

   • The food has been generally agreeable, and the variety is appreciated. Everyday a different pair or three spend the day with the cooks, learning how to make tortillas or pupusas, the classic

Salvadoran delicacy. Surprisingly, most of us are eating our beans, if not our vegetables.

• Although the food has only caused minor intestinal distress for some, the heat has been uncomfortable and overbearing at times. Work seems to be rewarding for all, although it is very demanding and arduous. We have three activities going at once: helping teach in the high school English classes, digging 6 foot deep holes for the foundation of a new day-care center, and assisting in the set up of a youth-run hydroponic building. Most of our work has been shoveling and pick-axing the heavy dirt at the day-care site. There are many sore shoulders, and brown shirts that used to be white. Despite the heat and sweating that is inevitable from the hot Salvadoran sun, the sunburns have been few and the spirits high.

• The other major component of our trip has been the meetings with various NGO's (Non-government Organizations) and social-empowerment groups. We have learned how CoCoDa, the organization that supports and facilitates this trip, works with other local Salvadoran NGO's like ADES and the CRC to improve heath-care, protect the land, and extend educational opportunities. Although it is hard for many of us to stay

engaged for upwards of an hour, we have asked many questions and been inspired by the progressive social groups like Santa Marta's Historical memory group, that works to preserve the communities war stories, the Women's Group that is working for social equality and entrance into the working class.

• Friday we met with all the Santa Martan youth that are currently attending the National University, where the shooting occurred Wednesday. They are all fine, but the school is closed until Monday. Their struggle to get such a coveted education undoubtedly inspired all of us who automatically expect such a privilege.

• Now, for the fun stuff. Everyone seems to enjoy their families, and even those who speak little or no English have overcome the language barrier either by learning awkward phrases or by motioning

ridiculously, or by smiling, or by playing universal games like "Ir Pescando" ("Go Fish"), or by having friends translate. Those who have gone before have reunited with old friends, and those who are new have been graciously and warmly accepted into the community. I can't list everyone's room assignments and housing situations, but in general the houses are better than last year and the improvements in the community are obvious.

• There are two other delegations in Santa Marta along with us, and the group of British University Students have eaten meals with us and are working on their own giant dirt holes along side ours. Everyone loved playing the local high school students in an intense hour and a half long soccer game. No one wanted to stop playing, but we were exhausted and out numbered by the very talented though barefooted youth. By the end we were all dirty and cheering for our victorious loss of 4 to 11. (A very impressive ending score considering that some past delegations have been unable to score at all!)

• To sum up, I will list the delights and headaches. I'll leave it to you all to decide what we like and don't: tortillas, roosters, soccer, hot bread from the Panaderia (bakery), latrines, roaches, cheap gifts and snacks, bug bites, making little kids smile, flushing toilets, dirt flying, pick-axing, laughing, being marveled at, tropical fruit juices, dogs everywhere, dirty socks, British accents, making friends, ice, spontaneous dancing, fried plantains, inspirational stories, 4 AM animal alarm clocks, tile floors, bucket baths, muffins, long walks, showers, bathrooms, family time, work, uncontrollable giggle fits, bus rides… I'm sure you'll hear all about these when we return home.

• Until then, ADIOS! And HASTA LUEGO UNITOS DE PADRES!! (aka bye and see you later parental units.) Love, The 2006 El Salvador Delegation

Day Ten Tuesday July 11, 2006

Day Eleven Wednesday July 12, 2006

Day Twelve Thursday July 13, 2006

Day Thirteen Friday July 13, 2006

Day Fourteen Saturday July 14, 2006

1. >>> "CoCoDA" < cocodaindy@igc.org> 7/15/2006 10:45 AM >>>

   • Hola from El Salvador. This is Chris Engebretson and Michael England-Strickland penning a very belated update from San Salvador. After returning from Suchitoto our remaining time in Santa Marta was quite fulfilling. We finished working on the guarderia or the child-care center and the fish farm at the hydroponics center is well underway. The work has been very difficult, but it is hardly the main focus of the trip. People have been connecting with their families and other people in the community. Also, there have been a number of meetings that have been very enjoyable and a great way to meet people in the community and learn about them.

   • Starting with Sunday, the day after the last email home, we went to Copapayo, the site of a massacre during the war. Though many people were disappointed to not get to go to the waterfall for a day of frolicking about in the Salvadorian sun, the trip was quite enjoyable. There was a fun boat ride in which the people got to know each other better and shared lots of laughs. After the trip, we watched the final of the Copa Mundial and shopped. That evening we took a good long bus ride back to Santa Marta.

   • Monday was a day full of work and a great--albeit cramped, meeting with CoCoSi. This is a group of youth from the community that work to combat HIV/AIDS. They have worked with the community for the last few years, and are seeing major improvements in the pregnancy rates in teenagers, as well as sexual education. Though there was another group, Putney I believe they are called, and there was a long walk, it

was a most illuminating experience. We all returned to the center of Santa Marta for supper and rest that evening.

• All of these days were very difficult working in the extreme heat digging holes all day, the smells of the panaderia i.e. the bakery kept us going throughout the day. On Tuesday, we had what many people thought was the most enjoyable meeting. That was the talk with the youth group Rebellion. They are a smallish group of high school and university students that are determined to tell the truth about their

country. Their goal is to express different views than the skewed versions that the government broadcasts to all the uninformed Salvadorans. They have a newsletter and a radio show on Radio Victoria (92.1 FM 100% POPULAR!). The meeting was a major success because we divided and had small conversations with small groups of Salvadorans, which served as a bridge to interacting with the youth.

• Wednesday was a long day with lots of work and a quick meeting with ADES, the local NGO that CoCoDA works with in Santa Marta. There were some good suggestions for positive change from the delegation and I am hopeful that the next trip will be as enjoyable, and better, as this one has been.

• Early on Thursday we had some volunteers from the delegation make French toast for the cooks who had made all of our food on the trip. This was both a nice gesture of thanks to them, as well as a lesson in how hard the Salvadorans work for our benefit while we were here. Thursday was our last day in Santa Marta, and was terribly bittersweet. While we all were here to learn about the people, forming new friendships and creating bonds was unavoidable. After getting close and living with them, to leave these people was very depressing. The night before we left was the dance. The families of the delegation all came and there was much joy. We said goodbye to our companions, Lee, Melissa, and Quincy who were leaving at 2:00 A.M. There were lots of exhausted, but heartfelt, thanks and goodbyes before bed. People gave and received presents and recuerdos, with their families. This morning we woke at 4:45 A.M. and went to the bus. In a beautiful sunrise we left with thank-you's and tears. After a long bus ride, our first stop was the U.S. embassy where we had a frustrating meeting, the result of the inaccurate figures and government propaganda that the staff there shared with us. Our next stop was a beautiful war memorial dedicated to the 75,000 non-combatants who died in the war.

• We also visited UCA (University of Central America), and saw the place where the six Jesuit priests were murdered. Finally we went to a cooperative pottery shop for war veterans. We just returned from a delicious pizza and ice cream meal and are all content and tired. We are all having a great time and are excited to see you on Sunday.

• Adios por ahora! Cheers, The 2006 El Salvador Delegation.