So for August and September I have been and will continue to visit our grassroots projects in our three sistering regions of San Vicente, Cuscatlan, y Chalatenango. I have already learned so much about our different women's groups, scholarship students and programming, and micro credit loans for agriculture, small stores, and other initiatives. Not only have I been visiting these sites, but also attending regional and community meetings, discussing issues that each of these projects face on a daily basis.
In the last week and a half, I have spent a total of 5 days in Chalatenango where we accompany the CCR in regional development projects. To give you an idea of where Chalatenango is....
What is going on with the CCR Women's Secretariat?
I attended two very important meetings with the women of the CCR- the first was a departmental assembly that had over 250 present in order to elect a future female representative for the CCR regional team, the second was a small meeting of female community leaders who discussed specific issues facing women of all ages today. Here is a brief report of the meeting:
The main issue surrounding the women of the CCR is violence against women
within the medical sector. Some examples
came straight from the women themselves: mistreatment/malpractice, infant mortality, lack
of mental/emotional/psychological care, and rape/sexual abuse by medical
professionals and doctors.
Many of the women in
these communities are not aware that they can report these cases. And most fear
that if they do report it, that their husbands, communities, health professionals
will shun them. What they fear most
however, is that if they do report it, that the case will never be reviewed,
justice will never be had, and their nightmares will continue.
The leaders of the
CCR discussed ways to equip the women in their community to report these abuses,
and also brainstormed ideas of how to encourage the women that these spaces
(schools, hospitals) are supposed to be safe areas for all.
They also discussed
the recently enacted law of “a life without violence for women”. Even though
the law is in place, many areas in Chalate are not adhering to this law. The women asked, “How do we enforce this? How
do we teach this to our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers?”
Some updates on SHARE's end include Marly Cardona (our social media/grassroots girl!) resigning and heading back to the states. We are all sad that she is leaving, but also looking forward to filling the new position! Anyone interested???? LET ME KNOW. Also, I have planned for an office dinner at my house next Friday. We are going to have some delicious salad, veggies, and most likely chicken...all healthy and organic of course :)
Finally, some personal updates include, WE GOT A PUPPY. Check out pictures of our little guy, Pinky (don't hate on his name, like my mom is) on facebook. I also went to a meeting with other Gring@s Solidari@s...this is a network of Expats living/working in development, NGO's, journalist down here in El Salvador. It was rejuvenating and interesting. Oh, and I went and stayed 2 days in Guarjila with Rosibel and family!!! It was wonderful to see everyone that I lived with last summer. I even ran into some of my students from English class.
Go(o)d Moments:
1. When on my way to work the other day, I spotted a quarter on the ground (bus money!), picked it up, turned the corner toward my stop and an old homeless women was sitting on a stack of newspapers. I handed over my quarter.
2. When on my way to Chalate last week a knife fight (sorry, mom) broke out on the bus, and an older women and her daughter grabbed my hand, grocery bag, and dragged me out the door to a safer bus.
3. When a young person gives up his seat on the bus for an elderly person.
4. When Marta does the dishes after an entire day of classes.
5. When Pinky kisses, licks and wags his tail because he is happy..
6. When Karen shares something with me she claims she has never said aloud--when any Salvadoran woman does this!
7. When after three sleepless nights, filled with stress and worry, end because I decide to fall asleep to "How He Loves Us".
8. When papayas and yogurt are on sale.
Until next time!
La paz,
Katy
