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Hear from ordinary citizens and ex-combatants who lived through the civil war of the 1980’s. |
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Meet grass roots organizers who struggle(d) then and now to build a peaceful and just society. |
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Study the involvement of the US government and solidarity movements in both war and peace. |
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Eat fried bananas and beans for breakfast and watch out for mangoes falling on your head! |
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Hike on a extinct volcano and swim in a volcanic lake. |
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One week at CSBSJU/ 2 weeks in El Salvador. |
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Spanish not required, but would be helpful. |
With the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero in March 1980, the simmering conflict in El Salvador between repressive state forces and popular and Christian liberation movements erupted into a full scale civil war that lasted twelve years. The war brought the unthinkable: church workers killed for calling for an end to exploitation of the poor; death squads "disappearing" popular leaders in the middle of the night or even in broad daylight; whole populations massacred by government troops in acts of intimidation and reprisal—all paid for by the more than $1 million a day the US government contributed to assuage its own paranoia: If the poor in another country demand justice of the rich, will they not come knocking on our own door next?
We will study the ensuing evolution of El Salvador's popular Christian and revolutionary movement into a political and social force promoting social change, community development and grass roots citizen participation. We will study the role of the international community at two levels: 1) the role of government and transnational organizations like USAID and the World Bank, 2) the international solidarity movement that seeks to accompany the continuing struggle of the common people to secure basic human rights and living conditions, to live with dignity and hope, and to create a social space where their voices are heard, their active participation is guaranteed, and their integrity is respected.
The course will have one week of background on the CSBSJU campuses and spend the final 2 weeks in El Salvador, visiting the grassroots, hearing the stories of the people, and finding out how peace is being built step by step in this small country where "the struggle continues," carried on by a people who, despite decades of oppression and terror, have spirits so high that they "have the sky for their hat"!
To apply for the program or for more information, contact Br. Dennis Beach [dbeach@csbsju.edu]: phone: 2997
| Week 1: | M-Th, Jan 8-11 | @ CSBSJU studying history of the Salvadoran civil war, popular movements, customs, etc. Class will last 4 hours each day, including films, discussion. |
| Fri 12 | Early departure for El Salvador. Orientation. Dinner & music at La Luna | |
| Sat 13 | Visit historical sites in San Salvador (capital): cathedral, Romero’s tomb; Divina Providencia, site of Romero's assassination; meet with SHARE and CRIPDES (grassroots organizations who have been working with base communities since during the war). Dinner at Casa Antigua. | |
| Week 2: | S-M 14-15 | Visit Lower Lempa area, site of severe flooding during Hurricane Mitch, as well as many years from tropical storms. Levees and dikes in the have not been mainatained by government since the land transfer program took the land away from wealthy families. Mass in Jiquilisco. Visit communities where the SHARE Foundation is active. Stay at la Pequeña Comunidad religious community. |
| T-W 16-17 | Travel to Morazan; visit War Museum in Perquín, site of massacre at El Mozote. | |
| Th 18 | Thursday AM return to San Salvador Meet with CIDAR (consortium of rural grassroots organizations) or CIDEP (educational & civic participation organization). Afternoon at UCA—Jesuit University, site of 1989 assassinations. | |
| Fri 19 | Morning meeting with NGO. ALGES? (Association of the War-Wounded of El Salvador) Joya de Ceren archaeological site near San Salvador. | |
| Week 3: | Sat-M 20-22 | Visit to Tenancingo, Saint Cloud area’s sister-city. Visit with youth of parish, schools and communities; also women’s organizations? Return to San Salvador late afternoon. |
| Tue 23 | Visit to US Embassy; Afternoon at San Ramón or Maria Madre de los Pobres (socially active urban parish). Dinner with Terry Flynn (SJU alumnus who works for U.S. Embassy, Consular Section)? | |
| Wed 24 | Hiking on Cerro Verde (extinct volcano turned park); swimming in Lago Coatepeque? (if it's warm enough, volcanic lake). | |
| Thur 25 | Return to town; Meeting with ADDI (Association for Integrating Democracy and Development). or CIDAR. Crafts shopping. Evening: Evaluation and despedida (farewell) | |
| Fri 26 | Airport / Departure | |
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In San Salvador, the capital, we will stay in a "Guest House," a small private hotel. I (Br. Dennis) know the hotel well and have stayed there with groups several times. It is economical and safe, but not luxurious. In the countryside, we will stay in various places. In the Lower Lempa area and the province of Morazan, we will likely stay in areas set up as retreat centers. In Tenacingo itself, the place we stay is a small building with an enclosed courtyard that is used as a meeting place by the town grass-roots organization. Here we will use sleeping pads and blankets and/or light sleeping bags. We will likely use sleeping bags again when we visit Cerro Verde and Lago Coatepeque, although we ill stay in a secure building. | |
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A good experience needs a willingness to ask questions and learn about the realities that affect people’s lives—including politics, economics, social structures and movements. This is not just a tourist trip—the recreation at the end is going to be a well-earned reward. |
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The trip will require some emotional and physical stamina, as well as the willingness endure and even be a good sport about some of the inconveniences of life in a developing country, including schedule, food and accommodations. |
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You will get the most out of this experience if you stretch yourself by meeting people and listening to their stories, their hopes, their struggles and dreams. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone and really be with people. |
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You’ll have to be sensible about health and safety concerns, following instructions and not taking undue risks. At the same time, paranoia about health or safety won’t enhance your experience—a spirited sensibleness is best! |
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Spanish is not absolutely necessary for everyone, but it will enhance your experience if you can use it. Be as fearless as you can—even if you start with none, people will love it if you can pick up some by the end of the trip. |
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Earns a Global Flag; counts as 3 credits |