The UK Ambassador in El Salvador, Linda Cross, and the Project Coordinator of the British Embassy, Xavier Sales, visited the Progressio ICS volunteers both UK and nationals at their place of work in Santa Catarina Masahuat, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on 12 August 2013.
Monday July 15th:
We went to Santa Catarina Masahuat´s Townhall and were received by the Mayor, we explained our purpose in the municipality and he explained that in every community you will find an ADESCO (Communal Development Association) that alongside the Townhall work to execute projects in benefit of the population, he also mentioned that he welcomes constructive criticism and suggestions so that together we can improve the work.
Tuesday July 16th:
The history of El Salvador has gone through diverse periods that have marked its current economic, political and social state. Before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors to American Land, the territory was inhabited by different Amerindian people that had formed sophisticated social orders; with the conquest, syncretism and submission took a principal role until the then called San Salvador providence gain its independence from the Spanish Empire achieving its state stature in 1859.
Empowerment. The new buzzword on every development worker’s lips. A concept embodying the biblical principle of feeding a man for life by teaching him how to fish over giving him a fish. The very principle of “teaching a man..” evokes negative connotations and viewed through less than rose coloured lenses, can be interpreted as a patronising concept but rest assured it is a departure from the old ways of yester years in which developing countries (not ok to say 3rd world anymore) relied on handouts rather than a hand-up.
Adriana Ospina from Colombia was a Progressio development worker in El Salvador from November 2006 to July 2009, with Flor de Piedra.
Young people are often portrayed by the media in a very negative light – typically through ‘bad news’ stories of ‘hoodies’ and ‘tearaways’ terrorising communities and old people. But the ‘good news’ stories often don’t get told – the ones where young people are leading the way on issues of importance to everyone.
Progressio El Salvador has celebrated the successful completion of its innovative HIV project funded by the European Union.
"I have truly seen a full commitment by this government to strengthen relationships with Central America and El Salvador," Ambassador Werner Romero said, adding "I think this is an honest commitment."
A year ago, I could not have come close to predicting where I am right now.
The winds of fortune have blown me some 5,000 miles from home to El Salvador along with 12 new compadres.
El Salvador is a ceaselessly surprising and vibrant country: this tiny country the size of Wales is covered in volcanoes; the buses are all vividly decorated in every colour (much like the wildlife); and every wall is painted be it with street art, gang insignias or painted advertisements.
By Aasim Shaffi
When I decided to volunteer in El Salvador, a developing country still bleeding from a 12 year long civil war, I wanted to stand with a Salvadoran, take on his problems and see life through his eyes. Despite not being able to do that, I witness the hardship of the people with every day that passes. The civil war left El Salvador 20 years ago, in 1992, but the chill of it still rages on in the civilian population who survived it.
