Celebration 25 Years of People to People Solidarity! “Because an unorganized people is a mass that can be manipulated; but a people that organizes itself and defends its values, its justice, is a people that is respected.” Homily, Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero, March 2, 1980.

San Salvador, December 2018

Dear Friends, We want to wish you happy holidays and express our gratitude for your support to CIS’ solidarity work – empowering communities to be architects in their own social and economic transformation over the past 25 years! The seeds we planted 25 years ago have roots and are bearing fruits of empowered women and youth, organized communities, and people who are aware of their human rights and demanding they be respected. In addition to celebrating CIS’ 25 years, we celebrated the canonization of Saint Romero October 14th. The official recognition that Oscar Arnulfo Romero gave his life for social and economic justice for the excluded is a ray of hope for Salvadorans - and has served as a compass for the CIS. This recognition as a Saint has challenged not only the Catholic Church, but all the churches in El Salvador to dedicate their work for social and economic justice. The churches have risen to the occasion, contributing to getting the first law passed in the world prohibiting metallic mining, and now are playing an important role in organizing to stop the privatization of water and guarantee water as a human right. Thirty-eight years later, there is also an arrest warrant for Romero’s assassins, an important symbol in favor of human rights and an end to impunity. The results of CIS’ work in 2018 continue to deepen roots of solidarity, empowerment and transformation:

101 students graduated from the CIS Youth Leadership and Scholarship program: 15 university students and 86 from high school. It is perhaps not the numbers that count as much as the quality and life changing experience for the youth and their communities who develop of vision and capacity to build their community and country through the process of analysis of the reality and community service projects in addition to their formal studies.

Advancement and maturing of women’s businesses – including the Jiquiliete Women’s group in Romero Community, which was legally sworn in as Cooperative in September. We completed business plans with Leslie’s Bakery in Comasagua and Los Hoyos Sausage business in Ilobasco. We also celebrate that Azules de Titihuapa business was able to reorganize and continue indigo production after a two year recess due to excessive threat of violence in their community of San Isidro.

Romero Community is completing work with Salvadoran Government agencies to install electricity in all 65 homes, the community center and the student library and training center. Perhaps more importantly,

the community is organizing and including its neighbors and serving as an example of how to build alternatives to violence and migration.

St. Patrick’s Church visited Estanzuelas at an opportune moment, when scholarship student Josselyn was in need of brain surgery. The delegation quickly rose to the occasion and donated $2,700 needed to purchase supplies for the operation. Josselyn is recuperating well and she and her family have expressed infinite gratitude for saving her life.

CIS School for Solidarity and Social Transformation completed a 7 month leadership course on the environment–which resulted in important analysis of local environmental conditions and strategies and action plans led by scholarship students for community and individual respect for the environment.

Theodora Vasquez and Maira Figueroa were released from prison February 14th and March 14th after spending 11 and 15 years respectively in prison for miscarriages. Theodora has been the recipient of several international human rights awards for making people aware of the plight of Salvadoran women. Maira had lost complete contact with her family for over 8 years. Theodora, though just reunited with her son and family, made it her mission to go out and find Maira’s family in a remote village so they would be there when she was released. That is solidarity!

Special thanks to the Mary Alphonse Bradley Fund for donation of a new pick up so we can retire our 2001 Dodge Dakota and continue working with communities in an efficient and safe manner.

Salvadoran Enterprises for Women (SEW) transferred management of its women’s empowerment program to CIS in June. We pledge to continue SEW’s mission with your help!

We ask for your support and solidarity action to CIS for the next 25 years!

$3,000 will pay for business planning and training process for one SEW women’s business over the course of a year or for seed money to get a small business started. (Any amount welcome)

$1,000 will pay for one year of a University Scholarship. ($300 for a high school scholarship for a community without a partner or for the Gender Scholarship Fund.) Please continue to donate through your local Church or organization if you have a sister relationship.

$350 will provide partial scholarships for election observers who cannot pay their full expenses.

2. Join the CIS Election Observer and Human Rights Delegation January 28 – February 5, 2019. Registration deadline January 2nd! In addition to being trained to play a pivotal role in election observation, the delegation will learn about the roots of migration, violence and women’s rights. The cost of the delegation is between $700 - $900, depending if you want a shared or single room. Please write us at: electionmission@cis-elsalvador.org or info@cis-elsalvador.org for more information. If you can’t join the Mission, please consider giving a donation for a scholarship for an observer, publishing the final report, and organizational support. We look forward to hearing from you. Blessings and Solidarity, Leslie Schuld, CIS Director and Los Olivos CIS Representative in El Salvador

CIS Board of Directors: Wilfredo Medrano, Delmy Valencia, Mario Arévalo, Eugenio Chicas, Ana Avilés, Lisandra Soriano, Verónica

Arévalo. Los Olivos CIS Board of Directors: Mimi Jordan, Robyn Smith, Gary Ellis, Mary Frances Ross, Sara Mulrooney, Rosemary Biggins,

Mike Tork, Steve Boyer, Susan Mull, Ed Osowski. CIS and Los Olivos CIS staff: Bellini Castro, Oscar García, Victor Andaluz, Vicenta Martínez, Wilmer Erroa, Arturo Severo, Maira

Romero, Delmy Linarez, Noemí Torres, Yessenia Flores, Luis Aguillón, Yeny Giron, Josué Duran, Iris Hernández, Leonor del Carmen Huezo, Esmeralda Reyes, Evelyn Portillo, and Evelia Sierra.

CIS 2018 Year End Report Celebrating 25 Years of Solidarity!

PROGRAM: LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM AREA: MELIDA ANAYA MONTES SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL The CIS taught 50 Spanish students in El Salvador and 35 students on-line, from the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Germany India, Holland, Austria and Taiwan. The students continue to evaluate their classes as excellent and value learning about the social, economic and political reality of El Salvador. We would like to thank St. Francis Community Services in Kansas, York University and New Brunswick University, both in Canada, Cristosal, Maryknoll, Share Foundation and the Mennonite Central Committee for sending their volunteers to learn Spanish at the CIS and on-line. Special thanks to our teaching staff: Vicenta Martinez, the Language School Coordinator, has been able to manage in-house and on-line courses and train teachers to use technology and popular education methodology. In addition to permanent staff, Oscar Garcia and Wilmer Erroa, the school employed teachers throughout the year: Maribel Guzman, Manuel Torres, Telma Martinez, Carlos Rivas, Wilfredo Miranda, Kathy Ruiz, Morena Barraza and Ulises Amaya. AREA: MELIDA ANAYA MONTES ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL CIS English School trained 24 volunteer teachers to teach English as a Second Language using popular education methodology and teaching techniques within the context of Salvadoran history– 4 from El Salvador;11 from the United States; 6 from Canada; 2 from the United Kingdom; and 1 from Australia. The teachers taught classes to a total of 160 students in four 9-week cycles during the year. The CIS provides partial scholarships each English cycle to persons with scarce economic resources and full scholarships to CIS employees and volunteers. We are grateful to the team of 24 long term volunteers who made this possible. We are proud to welcome back Victor Andaluz to reorganize and coordinate the English school. Special thanks to volunteers: Transito

Diaz, Jill Stiemsa, Ann Legg, Justin Weidman, Evelia Sierra, Elisabeth Miller (Tibby), Cathy Howell, Abhijit Gopal, Carol Ayres, Christian Berry, Joanna Djalatta, Zoe Blake, Sarah Hammaker, Valerie Paniccia, Abram Lutes, Wanda Lane, Emily Wellman, Evelyn Portillo, Oscar Garcia, and Robert Lee.

AREA: LANGUAGE SCHOOL SOCIAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM In addition to classroom language teaching, both Spanish and English School students participate in cultural exchanges and field trips to learn about and participate in El Salvador’s historical and cultural reality. The Spanish and English School facilitated a variety of exchanges: commemoration of the Peace Accords; International Women’s Day; Day of Water; International Workers Day, Day of the Cross; Earth Day; Teacher’s Day; Sexual Diversity Day; Commemoration of July 30, 1975 student massacre; Native People’s Day; International Day against Violence against Women. Visits included tours of the Historic Center of San Salvador (market; Romero’s tomb, Cathedral, National Palace and Theater, Coffee Museum), memorial to civilian victims of the war at Cuscatlán Park, Migration Museum, the Jesuit University, Botanical Gardens, El Espino Eco-Park, San Salvador Volcano, Panchimalco, Word and Image Museum, Maryknoll Soy Project, Mayan Ruins, Cinquera, Perquin, El Mozote, and the pineapple festival in Santa Maria Ostuma.

PROGRAM: SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AREA: CIS COMMUNITY NETWORK AND HUMAN RIGHTS CIS Community Network meets every two months to organize workshops and analyze social realities – this year’s themes included Election Reforms by Delmy Valencia from the TSE, Social Commitment by Arturo Severo, Economic analysis with Dr. Raul Moreno; Conflict Transformation with Antonio Rodriguez, and Effective Communication with scholarship student Jonathan Guzman. The CIS Community Network is made up of 23 grassroots organizations from 14 municipalities that are participating in CIS programs: Scholarship and Youth Leadership, Salvadoran Enterprises for Women, Clean Water, and the School for Solidarity and Social Transformation. Participating organizations come from:

1. Department of Cabañas: San Isidro, Jutiapa, Cinquera, Ilobasco 2. Department of Usulután: Estanzuelas, Puerto El Triunfo 3. Department of La Libertad: Tamanique, San Pablo Tacachico, Comasagua 4. Department of Cuscatlán: Suchitoto, San Pedro Perulapán, San Rafael Cedros 5. Department of San Salvador: Tonacatepeque, Mejicanos 6. Department of La Paz: San Luis La Herradura, San Juan Nonualco

AREA: HUMAN RIGHTS and COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT The CIS continues to integrate human rights work that focuses on non-violence, gender equality and respect for the environment in all of our programs. ROMERO COMMUNITY The CIS has facilitated several partnerships in the Romero Community to consolidate its work for human rights. We have focused on this area because of the organization of the community, the high risk conditions, and the expansion to work with neighboring communities – Distrito Italia, Paso Puente and Residencial Libertad. It is an area that continues to be victimized by gang violence and where young people are regularly beaten by authorities, but it is beginning to show a new face – an alternative to violence and migration – and continues to be led by the vision of Saint Romero. AJ+ Gen R did a beautiful video of the Romero Community focusing on the women’s leadership in the community. https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/women-run-this-community/1673691446076224/

The Chiuchiarella family has donated school supplies to all the youth in Romero Community since 2008, giving kids an incentive and hope to look for alternatives to violence and migration, and helps families with scarce economic resources to send their kids to school in addition to the scholarships provided by St. Elizabeth’s Parish. Education has been prioritized by the community and expanding this vision with neighbors. The Rotary Club of Wainwright, Alberta, Canada approved funds for an additional playground piece for infants and mothers in Romero Community.

American Friends Service Committee and CIS have an agreement of cooperation to form 12 young people as human rights activists in Romero and Paso Puente Communities in Tonacatepeque, a high risk zone for youth. In September, the youth organized their first Community Festival building Peace. The group has also formed a theater group with CIS/St. Elizabeth scholarship students that have performed at CIS scholarship retreat and at the Technological University on themes of youth at risk and migration. The Salvadoran Land Reform Institute, ISTA has retreated from their commitment to provide title to the land across the street from Romero Community to have legal security for the well and pump that provide potable water to the community and women’s indigo project. We continue working with them to find a solution. SIGET – the General Superintendent of Electricity of the Government of El Salvador is in the process of installing electricity in Romero Community, thanks to the arduous organization of the community and the Government of President Salvador Sanchez Ceren. The project should be completed by the end of this year. SAN ISIDRO, CABANAS – The Women’s Cooperative, Azules de Titihuapa, were able to revive their indigo cultivation and dye processing after a 2 year hiatus due to an outbreak of violence in their community. 17+ WOMEN IMPRISONED FOR MISCARRIAGES AND OBSTETRIC EMERGENCIES.

CIS visited women in prison and provided hygiene and self-care packages to 24 women wrongly convicted of abortion and condemned to 30 years in prison, when in reality they suffered obstetric emergencies and miscarriages. CIS provides scholarships for their children and to them when they get out of prison, since they are stigmatized, economically poor, have little education and little ability to get a job when released. CIS celebrated and was there to support Theodora Vasquez and Maira Figuera when they were released from prison on February 14th and February 15th respectively. We are providing Theodora with a scholarship to study computers and high school equivalency to

prepare to go to law school. Maira has asked for a scholarship for her brother to go to technical school so he can support the family. Maira cannot read or write. If you would like to support the women and their families with educational scholarships or care packages for the 24 women still in prison, please designate your donation to the GENDER SCHOLARSHIP FUND. AREA: YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOLARSHIPS CIS works with 18 local Salvadoran scholarship committees and 20 sister organizations and individual donors to fund 175 youth to go to the university and 266 to go to grade school and high school, to participate in leadership development workshops and to volunteer in community projects in 2018. We want to emphasize that the leadership development part of the program is as important as access to formal education to empower youth and be active in their communities. We encourage the youth to dream and give back to their community. Many youth see the only alternatives for their future to be migration or joining a gang. Accompaniment of the youth, especially in high risk situations, is an invaluable part of the program. This year 101 students will graduate: 15 from University and 86 from high school: Special congratulations to university graduates: Estanzuelas: Wendy Recinos and Marlin Hisaget Diaz in Marketing and English Language; Comasagua: Juan Carlos Hernandez Ruada with a vocational degree in tourism and Adilene Saavedra in Business Administration; San Rafael Cedros: Selena Huezo in Basic Education and Josue Duran in Marketing; San Pablo Tacachico: Jose Luis Cardoza Hernandez with Vocational degree in Software; Mejicanos: Hector Ricardo Diaz and Douglas Enrique Perez Figuero in Computer Systems and Electrical Engineering respectively; Comunidad Ellacuria: Bellini Yaneth Torres; Jhoana Serrano, Elmer Franco and Kevin Escobar, with degrees in Chemistry Professor, Business Administration and the last two Technicians in Civil Engineering; San Pedro Perulapan: Mirna Lopez in English Language. Suchitoto: Damaris Serrano with a degree in Nutrition.

The students carry out annual volunteer projects to “give back” to their community. CIS’ objective is to develop leadership, build community participation, and promote solidarity and community development.

Project Description of volunteer project Community Environment The youth carrying out this project are in charge of monitoring CIS

Clean Water Program and the adequate use of donated filters and water purifiers. In addition they carry out community clean up campaigns and coordinate with local community councils, the health clinic and city hall to improve the quality of life in the community. Some students have gotten donations of trees to plant and reforest and do follow up.

Tehuiste, Comasagua, Cinquera, San Pedro Perulapán, Palo Grande, Estanzuelas, Tamanique, Isla Tasajera,Isla El Espíritu Santo, San Rafael Cedros, San Pablo Tacachico, Llano Largo, Mejicanos

Workshops with youth

The youth meet at the beginning of the year to put together an agenda of workshops that interest the youth. The workshops are carried out monthly at the scholarship meeting. The students themselves develop the workshop and/or invite an outside speaker or a CIS grassroots promoter. Themes include human rights, self-esteem, conflict resolution, gender, environment, sexual and reproductive health.

Tehuiste, Comasagua San Pedro Perulapán San José Palo Grande Tamanique, Estanzuelas Isla Tasajera, San Rafael Cedros, Comunidad Ellacuria San Isidro, Llano Largo

Tutoring Scholarship Students tutor younger students in the community, especially ones that have difficulty learning. In addition to reinforcement in subjects where needed, some university students studying careers in English and Computers offer courses to youth in these subjects.

Tehuiste, Comasagua Tamanique, Isla Tasajera Estanzuelas, San Rafael Cedros, San Pedro Perulapán Suchitoto, San Isidro

Art and Mental Health Therapy

Art therapy workshops are focused on themes combined with art in a high risk zone where youth have witnessed and /or been victims of violence. The process helps them overcome discrimination, build self-esteem, and develop a life project, where they have a vision of contributing to the society instead of seeing immigration or violence as their only options. The local psychologist and art teacher collaborate with Evelyn from Jaragua coconut jewelry, the organizer of the program.

Distrito Italia Romero Community Paso Puente

Misc. Childhood reading center and Community Library

Adult Literacy courses in coordination with the Ministry of Education

Financial Administration with women’s businesses

Campaign to sterilize dogs and cats with the Foundation for Cultural Exchange, Colorado

PeaceHealth Medical Brigade

Suchitoto San Rafael Cedros Suchitoto, Romero Community, San Pablo Tacachico San Pedro Perulapán Tonacatepeque

The CIS organized its 8th Annual Scholarship Retreat with the participation of 100 students, CIS promoters and 6 solidarity partners from the Foundation for Cultural Exchange, St. Patrick’s Church, and the Pasadena Committee. The focus of this year’s retreat was water rights and the environment. Andres McKinley gave an important analysis on the struggle for water and Ricardo Navarro, director of the environmental group, CESTA, shared an in depth analysis of global warming and climate change. Global Youth Platform helped facilitate work in groups. Each committee prepared an environmental risk map and steps for action in their community.

The CIS added a second student dormitory in San Salvador for university students in 2018 (the first was established in 2017). Currently, there are 5 female students in one apartment and 7 male students in the second, who qualify due to either living too far to travel home from school or for security reasons. The students have to apply for a space in the apartment and have to agree to commitments of group cooking, cleaning, quiet time, and other measures to maintain a secure and peaceful environment. They also pay a small monthly fee to cover electricity, water, internet and maintenance. The students living there this year are from San Pedro Perulapán, Isla Tasajera, San Jose Palo Grande, Isla El Espiritu Santo and Tamanique.

We are continually looking for new partnerships to grow and broaden the program. If you know a church, community organization or non-profit who would like to be a part of this program, please let us know. Scholarship beneficiaries during 2018 and their sponsors: *includes K- high school

Scholarship programs 2018 Thank you solidarity partners!!! University High school

1996 Cinquera, ARDM St. Sabina, KC 11

1998 Comunidad Ellacuría, Chalatenango Notre Dame Prep School, MD Friends of Ellacuria St. John Fisher Parish, MI

18 14

2001 Estanzuelas St. Patrick’s Church, KC, MO 14 27

2007 Tamanique Assumption Church, Granger, IA 9 20

2008 San Rafael Cedros Our Lady of Presentation, KC, MO 12 19

2008 Comasagua Corpus Christi University Parish, Toledo, OH Resurrection Church, Solon, OH CIS Scholarship Fund

10 21

2009 San Pedro Perulapán Foundation for Cultural Exchange, CO 26 8

2010 San Pablo Tacachico – ADEMGUAPE Pasadena Committee, CA 10 20

2010 Romero Community, Tonacatepeque St. Elizabeth’s Parish, KC, MO 2 40 *

2017 Paso Puente, Tonacatepeque St. Elizabeth & CIS scholarship Fund 2 27 *

2017 Distrito Italia, Tonacatepeque CIS Scholarship Fund and PazSalud 3 4

2013 Residencial Libertad, Tonacatepeque St. Elizabeth and CIS scholarship fund 1 6 *

2011 Isla El Espíritu Santo, Puerto El Triunfo Rainbow of Hope for Children, Canada 8 14

2011 San Francisco de Asís Parish, Mejicanos St. Peter’s Church, KC, MO 10 6

2011 San José Palo Grande, Suchitoto St. Elizabeth’s Parish, KC, MO 8 6

2011 Artisans– Jaragua, Las Tinecas REVY Fair Trade, Cleveland, OH 1 1

2013 Isla Tasajera, San Luis la Herradura

First Congregational United Church of Christ, Eugene, OR

9 5

2014 Tehuiste, San Pedro Nonualco Caminos de Accion 4 6

2015 Llano Largo, Jutiapa CIS Scholarship Fund 4 6

2016 San Isidro, Cabanas CIS Scholarship Fund 3 3

2017 Gender CIS Gender Scholarship Fund 5 1

2018 Ita Maura Community San Pablo Tacachico St. Regis Church, KC, MO 10

At Large- San Juan Opico, LL; El Congo, SA, 2 - Sacacoyo, LL, San Martin, SS

PeaceHealth, CIS scholarship fund 5

TOTAL 175 266

AREA: SCHOOL FOR SOLIDARITY AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION ERNEST REMER JENKINS CIS is committed to development of women and young people to have the tools to work for social justice and transform Salvadoran reality. The School uses participatory methodology; multiplies what is learned in communities and makes plans for action in their community. In October 2017 – May 2018 we carried out a course focused on the environment in coordination with RACDES – Network of Community Environmentalists of El Salvador. Twenty-three youth and CIS promoters graduated from the program completing all 12 courses and developing local environment projects and strengthening clean water committees. The course investigated the history of El Salvador; Human Rights and their evolution in El Salvador; relationship between ecology, environment and society; management of aquifers and community water sources; integrated waste management; and creating friendly alternatives to respect the environment. AREA: SALVADORAN ENTERPRISES FOR WOMEN CIS strategic partner Salvadoran Enterprises for Women – SEW handed over the complete management of this program to CIS in June of this year. In addition to empowerment and training of women on the ground in El Salvador, it means that CIS and LOS OLIVOS need to develop fundraising strategies to continue. If you would like to help us fundraise, please let us know. We hope existing SEW donors will continue to have faith in our work. We express our utmost gratitude and respect to Sister Anne Marie Gardiner, the Board of Directors and supporters of Salvadoran Enterprises for Women (SEW) and we intend to live up to the bar they set – of accompanying and empowering women in their economic and social development. SEW/CIS biggest achievements in 2018 include - Our main focus has been on helping existing businesses grow and mature. We completed a process of business planning and training with Leslie’s Bakery in Comasagua and Sausages a la Vista in Los Hoyos, Ilobasco. CIS/SEW is in the process of facilitating business planning and training with the Tropical Fruits Ice Cream from Tamanique and the Colorada Seamstresses are in the process of developing business plans. SEW provided the investment for equipment to start selling their delicious artisanal tropical fruit ice cream. The indigo group from San Isidro was able to recover after a 2 year hiatus due to violence. Most of the businesses are requesting exchanges with similar businesses next year, in order to learn from each other and continue the process of consolidation.

Supported since:

Business Some Principle Achievements and needs # women

Nov 2017 New Hope Women’s Association, Ilobasco

CIS-SEW promoters are working with the women to develop a tea room to host events. They have requested development of a business plan including training in promotion, cooking with hygienic regulations, promotional materials, and marketing plan.

7

Jan 2017 Tropical Fruits of the Pacific Ice Cream, Tamanique

The women are in the process of developing a business plan with CIS/SEW promoter Maira Romero and support from CONAMYPE.

14

Oct 2016 Creative Hands Sewing Workshop, Estanzuelas

The workshop has incorporated additional women and expanded their markets after a SEW donation of seed money. They have requested support in promotion materials, cataloging their products and prices, developing a business plant and exchanges with similar businesses.

11

Mar 2016 Good Taste Cafeteria Buen Gusto, San Pablo Tacachico

Closed due to migration of women 2018. 7

Jan 2016 Women’s Jiquilete Organic Agriculture Cooperative Monseñor Romero

Training and legal formation of a Cooperative with support from the Ministry of Agriculture. Production of 6 kilos of indigo and added oregano which will take 3 years to mature. ISTA has given them permission to cultivate and promised the land for 13 years, but they still do not have title to the land.

16

Jan 2015 Sausage a la Vista, Los Hoyos, Ilobasco

Business plan completed and being implemented, including SEW donation for equipment to sell at local soccer games as new source of income. They have begun process to diversify their recipes and get a course in quality control and hygiene regulations with CDMYPE in Ilobasco.

7

Jan 2015 Divine Child Bakery, Los Hoyos, Ilobasco

Self- sustaining dynamic business. 6

Nov 2014 Women in Action – “Candy Espíritu Santo” – Isla El Espíritu Santo.

The women were able to cut their hours and produce more efficiently due to a donation from SEW of more stoves and equipment. They had difficulty filing their orders due to the drought and decreased coconut production on the island. They need new shelves to comply with government hygiene standards and they still need computer and training course to fill out government business forms. The projection is to work with CIS/SEW next year on a business plan and training; though the group is very self-sufficient.

11

Aug 2013 Los Azules de Titithuape - Women cultivating Jiquilite and processing indigo dye.

Reorganization and reopening of the group. They have produced 4 kilos of indigo and are energized. They also got an additional piece of land lent to them by city hall to expand their production.

6

Mar 2013 “the Basic food Basket” Store, San Pablo Tacachico

GRADUATION 2018 4

Jan. 2013 Las Delicias Bakery, Llano Largo

The business is self-sustaining, but the owners of the place they rent, continually threaten to evict them. Please let us know if you have sources to invest in purchasing a small plot of land and building a basic infrastructure.

4

Feb. 2012 Leslie’s Bakery – Zacatales, Comasagua

Completed business plan and training process. 7

Nov 2011 Poultry Farm, “New Dawn” – Guacotecti

CLOSED DUE TO HIGH RISK AREA 6

Jan. 2011 Colorada Seamstresses In process of forming a legal small business and working on business plan. 10

Nov. 2010 ACOPAMSLR Sewing Cooperative, Comasagua

GRADUATION 2015 – 6 uniform contracts in 2018 9

May 2009 Dairy Products, “The Little Cow”, Llano Largo

GRADUATION 2014 10

Jan 2009 Egg Laying Hen Farm, “Guadalupanas”

GRADUATION 2014 6

Nov 2008 Women Artisans, “El Torogoz”

GRADUATION 2015 13

Mar. 2007 Traditional Salvadoran Food, “Las Cedrinas”

GRADUATION 2014 3

Jan 2007 Egg Laying Hen Farm, “Nuevo Renacer”, Cocobano

GRADUATION 2014 4

Jun 2006 Indigo Dye Cooperative - :Vivaz”

GRADUATION 2015; training in new designs from CONAMYPE 5

Jan. 2005 Sewing Workshop, “Pájaro Flor”, Suchitoto

GRADUATION 2015 9th

year contract school uniforms, contract with

department store making indigo clothing. 14

Support to 21 businesses Trained and empowered business women 148

AREA: ENVIRONMENT AND CLEAN WATER

Distribution by Department and Municipality

Community # filter 2018

# beneficiaries 2018

Filters since 2011

Beneficiaries since 2011

LA LIBERTAD

San Pablo Tacachico 117 733

Comasagua 105 389 320 1,330

Tamanique 135 1,294

Puerto de La Libertad 152 634

USULUTAN

Puerto El Triunfo Isla El Espiritu Santo 129 874

Estanzuelas 197 880

Jiquilisco Bajo Lempa 6 240

CABAÑAS

Guacotecti 21 186

Jutiapa Llano Largo 10 48 77 339

Cinquera 18 76 142 605

San Isidro 15 60 45 175

CIS Clean Water Program strengthened 10 local water committees (San Rafael Cedros, San Pedro Perulapán, Tehuiste Abajo, Isla El Espiritu Santo, Cinquera, Tamanique, San Luis Los Ranchos, Comasagua, Isla Tasajera, Isla Colorada, and Llano Largo), and cooperated with local schools and health promoters to broaden the impact and education around clean water. CIS trained and distributed water filters to 319 families and 3 Clean Water for the World Purification Units. CIS thanks PeaceHealth, Clean Water for the World, University of Toledo Engineering students, Give Safe Water, Visitation Parish, St. John Fisher Parish and Caminos de Accion for their partnership with CIS Clean Water Program and individual donors in 2018. We also want to thank Rainbow of Hope for Children Foundation for their commitment to clean water and water diagnosis in Romero Community and the donation of a new water tank to La Loma, Comasagua to provide potable water for 25 families so they do not have to walk 2 kilometers down a steep hill for water. CIS scholarship students are an integral part of guaranteeing and follow up on clean water units.

Clean Water for the World Water Purification Units 2018 – 3 new Units Installed

In addition to installing 3 new units, CIS water promoter did maintenance and follow up on 31 units and met

with local water committees.

Community Beneficiaries

San Alfonzo, Tamanique 800

Monsenor Romero Community 400

Pre-School Annex Educational Center Faith and Happiness, La Chacra, San Salvador 130

Total Beneficiaries 1,330

AREA: SOLIDARITY CRAFTS CIS supports 16 artisan workshops which generate income for 75 individuals and their families by selling their products. High quality products are available at the CIS and on-line including organic coffee, coconut jewelry and accessories, jewelry and cards from recycled materials, painted wooden crafts, indigo dyed scarves and clothing, embroidery, purses from hand woven cloth from San Sebastian and other beautiful hand crafts. CIS gives artisans the benefit of fair trade practices – paying a higher price than they receive from the local artisan markets and payment upfront, so they can pay their workers and invest in materials. Most local markets only offer payment on consignment – which requires time and bus fare to collect from sales and scarce economic resources are tied up in inventory. Please include a stop at the CIS artisan store on your next visit to El Salvador and visit our on-line store. Generating employment and fair trade is a revolutionary act. Salvadorans do not want to migrate but do so when they cannot put food on the table. Your purchases support Salvadoran families to be able to stay in El Salvador. THANK YOU to delegations and internet orders we received this year: St. Sabina, St. Aloysius, St. Elizabeth, PeaceHealth, CISPES, University of Toledo, Somos Hermanos, IPM, Notre Dame Prep alumni, U.S. El Salvador Sister Cities, St. Patrick, Voices on the Border, Share Foundation, Cleveland IRTF, CARECEN Los Angeles, St. John Fisher, EcoViva, Our Lady of Presentation, St. Mathew Parish, WPMarket, REVY, Good Shepherd Parish, All Saints Catholic Church, St. Thomas More Parish, and many individuals!!!!

CUSCATLAN

San Pedro Perulapán 151 678

San Rafael Cedros 111 1,048

Suchitoto 15 60 204 861

LA PAZ

San Luis la Herradura Isla Tasajera/Colorada 110 486

San Pedro Nonualco Tehuiste 61 395

SAN SALVADOR

Tonacatepeque Comunidad Romero, PP 78 299 163 624

San Salvador María Madre de los Pobres 50 221 426 1620

” “ CIS Employees, board, vols. 30 106

Mejicanos 30 150

CHALATENANGO

Comunidad Ellacuria 25 100

TOTAL 316 1,253 2,258 13,333

AREA: CIS SOLIDARITY DELEGATIONS CIS hosted 16 delegations with 124 participants. Evelyn, CIS’ delegation coordinator, traveled with Josue, scholarship graduate and promoter in San Rafael Cedros and with students Elmer and Angelica to Our Lady of Presentation, and CIS Director Leslie traveled with scholarships students Arnulfo from San Jose Palo Grande and Soraida from Tonacatepeque to St. Elizabeth, both in Kansas City, in November. Delegations included 6 sister parishes accompanying scholarship programs; University of Toledo engineering students with Clean Water for the World helped install water purification units; 2 PeaceHealth brigades in Tonacatepeque and follow up eye surgery; 2 Somos Hermanos delegations of students in the medical field, and Ecoviva environmental delegation. The CIS director also had the honor of being a part of a delegation to Rome with colleagues from Kansas City to be a part of the St. Oscar Arnulfo Romero Canonization ceremony.

Delegations support community organization and strengthen bonds of solidarity. Many groups sustain ongoing scholarship programs and through this have had the unique opportunity to build relationships and share in the lives of economically marginalized families. In addition, delegations promote cultural exchange and contribute to the CIS Clean Water Program and strengthening Women’s Businesses. CIS orients and facilitates delegations based on a relationship of solidarity and mutual respect and any material support given supports community organization, human development and tools for self-determination.

2018 Delegations Delegation # Mission Dates

1. St. Elizabeth Parish 8 Romero and Suchitoto Scholarships JAN

2. St. Sabina 6 Build sister relationship JAN

3. Fr. Gerald Waris 1 Visits to Estanzuelas, Romero, pastoral visits JAN

4. PeaceHealth 28 Medical Brigade Tonacatepeque, 690 consultation FEB

5. University of Toledo Engineering students/ Clean Water for the World

13 Training, revision and installation of water purification units MAR

6. Somos Hermanos 13 Isla Tasajera- installed plumbing in the school APR

7. Notre Dame Alumni 5 Ellacuria Scholarships MAY

8. Paz Salud 15 99 Eye Surgeries JUN

9. Brown Memorial Park Avenue Church

7 María Madre de los Pobres, Suchitoto, Cinquera, Santa Marta

JUN

10. St. Patrick Church 4 Estanzuelas and scholarship retreat JUL

11. Pasadena and First Congregational United Church of Christ

2 CIS Scholarship retreat JUL

12. ECO VIVA 3 San Isidro and Cinquera Cabañas, environmental advocacy OCT

13. Somos Hermanos 4 Painted water mural in Romero Community OCT

14. Visit to Rome 8 Canonization of St. Oscar Arnulfo Romero NOV

15. Visit to Our Lady of Presentation 4 San Rafael Scholarships students NOV

16. Visit to St. Elizabeth 3 Tonacatepeque and Romero scholarship students NOV

124

AREA: CIS 12TH INTERNATIONAL MISSION OF ELECTION OBSERVERS CIS International Mission of Election Observers included 50 observers from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Sweden and Salvadorans, including 5 long term volunteers who helped with training and logistics. CIS observed the elections in 11 municipalities. This year’s volunteer team also translated the Supreme Elections Tribunal instruction manual, facilitating in-depth understanding, observations and final report. Special thanks to Tibby Miller, Cathy Howell, Zoe Blake, Sarah Hammaker, and Brooke Nagle for their excellent work!!!

The Observer Mission also focused on human rights issues facing Salvadorans today. We visited women in prison condemned to 30 years in prison, met with Aquiles Magaña, the Director of the Government Agency dealing with returned immigrants – COMIGRANTE and the government center where deported immigrants and refugees are received. A third field trip focused on water as a human right. PROGRAM: INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AREAS: PROMOTION ADMINISTRATION AND FUNDRAISING Do not forget to “like” us on Facebook if you haven’t already! – We have over 4,800 likes finishing 2018, CIS - Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad. The CIS and Los Olivos CIS employ 19 persons on permanent basis including 13 women and 6 men; 17 are Salvadoran, 1 from the U.S. and 1 from Mexico. Additionally we have 8 Salvadoran on-line teachers who have had work all year. We give infinite thanks to Tibby Miller for 2 ½ year service with the CIS as a Brethren Volunteer and welcome Cameron Clark in November. Thank you Brethren Volunteer Service! As we go to print we have learned of the passing of our dear friend and LOS OLIVOS CIS Board chairperson from 2006-2016, Joseph Houston. Joe was a volunteer English Teacher and election observer on many occasions. We extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to his wife Margot Worfolk. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

!Gracias! Please donate generously to CIS solidarity work for social and economic transformation “Many people would like the poor to always say that it is God’s will that they are poor. It is not God’s will for some people to have everything and others to have nothing. This cannot be God.” St. Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Sept. 10, 1978

Please write us at electionmission@cis-elsalvador.org if you wish to join the 2019 election observer mission. Please check one: __Enclosed find my donation of _________ for CIS Scholarship and Leadership Development Fund. __Enclosed find my donation of ________to continue Salvadoran Enterprises for Women (SEW). __Enclosed find my donation of _______ for Electoral Observation and Human Rights Delegation. __My particular interest is to support the program indicated above, but my donation is unrestricted and may be used for any CIS program, or __My donation is restricted to be used ONLY for the program I have indicated above. Please note, CIS respects the wishes of its donors and will use your generous gift for the program indicated, but to simplify our accounting, we encourage you to make an unrestricted gift).

Tax deductible donations can be made payable to and mailed to: Los Olivos CIS (in U.S. dollars) PO Box 76 Westmont, IL 60559-0076, USA

Debit/credit card donations can be made online: www.cis-elsalvador.org/donate.html

For more information: Toll free number in U.S.: 1-866-887-2665: El Salvador: ++ 503-2226-5362 www.cis-elsalvador.org; info@cis-elsalvador.org

If you would like to give a gift of stock, IRA distribution or remember CIS in your will, please call our toll free number at 1-866-887-2665 and we can work with you to facilitate your generous gift.

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