Dear friends of CIS:
We hope this note finds you well. We want to update you briefly on the
situation in
EL SALVADOR FACES A GRAVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS.
We are conscious that
The failure of the Salvadoran
Government to build a state based on functioning democratic institutions – not
cleaning up the judicial corruption as recommended in the Truth Commission
Report; not dismantling the death squad structures, that transformed their
activities toward organized crime after the war; not allocating adequate
funding for the Human Rights Procurators Office – are just a few examples of
the failure to build a functioning government.
These social and political factors are combined with an economic policy
that does not address the needs of the poor majority are creating a profound social
and economic crisis, that is now taking its toll on the country, especially the
poor majority.
CIS is accompanying community
organization and education in order to confront insecurity and provide tools so
that Salvadorans can begin to transform their reality.
CIS
PROGRAMS BRING HOPE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
With your solidarity, hope continues
in the face of this social and economic crisis. We
want highlight some of our activities in July through September:
- CIS grassroots organizer network organized
educational/advocacy forums around a law being proposed to privatize
water. The passage of this law
would be detrimental for poor communities and families being able to
access drinking water.
- CIS began plans to implement chicken coup with
women’s group in the
- CIS delivered seeds and fertilizers to families
in
- CIS was present at the inauguration of the
community Padre Marcial Serrano made of 12 families who lost their homes
and land last year during STAN.
The donation was made possible by the Rainbow of Hope for Children
Foundation through the CIS. CIS
supports a grassroots organizer of the Cultural Association in San
Francisco Chinameca to be able to organize year round, but also in times
of emergency.
- CIS director Leslie Schuld and Wilber Solano,
President of the Voice of the People in Estanzuelas (also CIS board
member) were invited by St. Patrick’s Church in Kansas City to reaffirm
their 5 year sister relationship and to promote scholarships so that 55
youth in Estanzuelas can go to high school and 5 to university. The goal is that through education and
organization, the community will be able to look for solutions to the
grave social and economic crisis facing
- CIS presented its final election observer report
to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the Commission on Electoral Reforms
of the Legislative Assembly. All
five political parties were present in both meetings, showing the breadth
and respect for CIS work in election observation. This CIS also presented the report to
communities and Non-Governmental Organizations as well as various
embassies.
- September 10th CIS grassroots
organizers organized their first fair trade and cultural even in Comasagua
to promote national products and create networks for fair trade. Through community bartering, networking
and conscious raising a local economy is being built to allow the survival
of communities that are faced with strangulation by global neo-liberal
economic policies.
CIS
HOUSE LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR LONG TERM SOLIDARITY
On July 1st, we moved
into our new house, fulfilling a dream and much work over the past two years to
find an adequate house and raise funds and loans necessary. We see this house as the foundation of long
term solidarity and that will guarantee community organizing for social and
economic justice for the long term, that even when there are strong winds of
violence, injustice, greed, and inequality, that foundation will not be easily shaken.
At the same time we purchased the
house, we immediately began construction of a patio and a second floor, to
maximize our space. We need to raise an
additional $20,000 in donations to complete the construction and put adequate
security around the house, which is why we need your help. We want to let you know that $50,000 for the
house was raised by donations of $1,000 or more and $20,000 was raised from
donations of $50 - $500. No donation is
too large or too small. We want to ask
for your support to lay the final bricks.
Anyone who donates $500 or more will have their name on a brick in the
solidarity house as a show of thanks and to demonstrate the breadth of people
and institutions that make up the CIS together with our Salvadoran sisters and
brothers.
Here are the costs real - and
projected:
House purchase $121,000
Construction of Second Floor & patios $ 47,000
Security bars & camera $
10,000
Ceiling fans and shades $ 1,000
Desks, shelves $ 1,000
TOTAL $180,000
TOTAL INCOME
Funds donated $ 70,000
8 year loans (8 at $10,000@) $
80,000
(from 0 – 5% interest)
1 2 year loan to be paid 2007, 2008 $ 10,000
SUB TOTAL IN HAND $160,000
Donations
needed from dozens of supporters like you of $50, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 or more:
$ 20,000
TOTAL
TO FINISH IN DECEMBER $180,000
PROJECTIONS
In addition to completing the house
and strengthen the CIS organization, our main challenge is to consolidate a
base of support for ongoing community organization. We are contemplating the following
activities, which we need your support to promote.
- Our delegations and solidarity partners program
are the principle guarantee of consolidating our project of grassroots
organizing. This has been an
ongoing struggle to guarantee funds, as most foundations do not invest in
organizing necessary to guarantee other programs. We would like to sign on organizations (church,
university, religious organization, foundations, and solidarity
organization) to partner with communities and guarantee to raise $4,000 a
year for grassroots organizer.
- CIS is organizing a special delegation and
Spanish program for the 30th anniversary of Rutilio Grande in
March 8 – 16 and March 17 – 31 which we would like to invite you to
participate in and/or organize a group from your church or community
organization.
Write
your tax-deductible check today, made out to: CIS / PO
Peace and Solidarity,
Leslie Schuld
For the CIS
Building our NEW HOUSE!
