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 El Sitio, El Salvador
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EL SALVADOR
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America and its most densely populated. 6.9 million people live in this country that is slightly smaller that Massachusetts.
Ever since it received independence from Spain in 1821, El Salvador’s politics and economy have been influenced by a group of elite families, while much of the country has suffered in poverty. During the 20th century, the country had major uprisings driven by poor farmers, followed by massacres as the government and ruling class tried to maintain power of El Salvador and control over its people.
After Archbishop of San Salvador Oscar Romero was assassinated in March of 1980, the country was thrown into a Civil War which lasted 12 years and left 75,000 or more Salvadorans dead. The Peace Accords were signed in 1992, and since then El Salvador has tried to find peace and economic stability.
If you would like to learn more about our brothers and sisters in El Sitio, El Salvador and/or how you can get more involved, check out this great new website: www.elsitioes.org
THE History of EL SITIO, El Salvador
Today, El Sitio is a community of 55 families (265 people) that lies on Lake Suchitlán in the northern region of El Salvador. The majority of its inhabitants formerly lived in Copapayo, another small town that was destroyed by the military’s bombs during the Civil War. A culminating event for the people of El Sitio was the Massacre of Copapayo in which over 150 family members and friends were killed over two days in November of 1983.
As a result of the Peace Accords of 1992, the survivors of the Massacre of Copapayo received the land which is now El Sitio to begin to rebuild their lives and return to peace. It is there where most of the families depend on agriculture to provide for their families. With the help of St. Catherine’s and others, the community has managed to build a school, library and a beautiful church. They recognize that to improve their future they need to educate their youth, but also depend on the generosity of others to provide scholarships to make it a possibility.
Many ways to get involved!
La Directiva: This is a committee made up of St. Catherine’s parishioners that meets regularly to organize projects and better the future of El Sitio. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Directiva, contact Patrick O’hara at 372-5900 paddyo17@sbcglobal.net
Sponsor-a-Student / Giving Tree Tags: Every student attending kindergarten through high school depends on a family to sponsor his or her education. Parishioners from St. Catherine’s sponsor individual students to make education a reality. If you would like to help for the upcoming school year, watch for the Giving Tree Tags around Christmas time, the giving tree will be placed in the parish lobby. By grabbing a tag, you can help to support a project to better life in El Sitio.
Hand-in-Hand: This is a wonderful way to form a bond with a family in our sister parish! Each time a group is about to visit El Sitio, you will receive a reminder to write a letter. In it, you can tell about your family and provide pictures. Don’t worry; letters can be translated if you don’t speak Spanish. If you or your family is interested, please contact Beth Hunt 269-377-2609 or bethhunt3778@yahoo.com
Medicines: All luggages checked by each delegation are to provide human aide, much in the form of over-the-counter medicines. If you have access such items as pain relievers, allergy and cold medicines, fiber laxatives, etc. drop them off anytime in the church office.
Adult Delegation: A delegation from St. Catherine’s will depart early each November for a one week visit with our brothers and sisters in El Sitio. This is open to adults of all ages. Costs will be airfare, plus food and lodging for a week. If you would like more information and an application, call Peg Klitch at the parish office at 327-5165 ext. 111 pklitch@stcatherinesiena.org or Patrick O’hara at 372-5900 paddyo17@sbcglobal.net.
Young Adult Delegation: This life-changing experience is open to interested adults ages 19-40. Our next 10 day trip will be in July or August of 2008, and will cost $400 plus airfare (approx. 600-700). We spend most of the time serving and living with families in El Sitio, followed by a stay at the nearby Peace Center in Suchitoto, with visits to important and holy places in the capital of San Salvador. If you are interested contact Bryan Hill for info at 998-0954 bryan_in_mex@yahoo.com
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