What the program looks like

I was recently asked to come up with a more detailed description of the Compadres trip. This is what I have come up with. In May, we will again start to promote the experience for 2013.

Objectives:
• to involve teachers from Ontario in a delegation to explore long-term partnership opportunities with communities in El Salvador
• to develop strong relationships based on mutual respect, and solidarity.
• to develop materials and activities that can be used to tell the stories of the people of El Salvador
• to learn together popular education methods we can use within our own communities
• to meet with Salvadoran communities and learn more about their work and their role in the social movement
• to develop, where possible exchanges between Salvadoran and Canadian communities
• to support educational initiatives in El Salvador
• to experience the following:
• Workers defending their rights in maquila and agro-export plantations
• Farmers concerned about the impact of biotechnology on food security
• Communities dealing with the challenges of Canadian mining companies for control of their land
• Peasants (campesinos) in the struggle to recuperate land
• Women to fully participate in a creative and challenging way in their society
• Communities struggling to maintain their control of resources from mining companies
• to deepen our sense of social justice and analysis of the critical issues affecting people in the North and the South
• to improve our Spanish (educational workshops will take place at hostel Bajo Lempa - by the Pacific Ocean).
• to relate the experience to the social teachings of the church
• to develop partners with Northern NGO’s including Salvaide, Development and Peace and CHF (Canadian Hunger Foundation) and other educational institutions (Algonquin College) and other school boards in Eastern Ontario.


12-Day Program

DELEGATION OF Ontario Teachers - COMPADRES 12-Day Trip

Day One
Pick up at the airport transport to La Amistad guest house Hostel: Avenida Izalco No. 218, Colonia Centro America, San Salvador (503) 2226- 0437



Day Two - Orientation
Orientation Meeting with Miguel – trip coordinator for Salvaide
Meeting with Equipo MAIZ. Equipo Maíz : Carlos Garcia. T-shirts and posters and music available at their store.
CRIPDES. Meeting with CRIPDES – orientation to the work of CRIPDES, this organization is our host while we are in El Salvador.
Meeting with CORDES – this organization works in conjunction with CRIPDES throughout El Salvador
Lunch – we eat at local restaurants in San Salvador, the food is always very good!.

Day Three: Tuesday, July 5
Visits to the historical places in San Salvador : Visit to Divine Providence church were Monseñor Romero was killed,Visit to Monseñor Romero residence ,visit to the memorial to civilian victims of the military repression and the war at Parque Cuscatlan, Visit to UCA museum.

Day Four: Living in Community with the people of San Jose las Flores

8 AM. Drive out to Chalatenango Province to get to San Jose Las Flores community. It is a two and a half hours drive.
9:30 AM. Meeting At CCR in Chalatenango City with Nelson and his education team from the teachers association.
keep going to San Jose Las Flores: Lunch at the community kitchen set up by the women of San Jose las Flores
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3 P.M. Meeting with the community Directorate where they will speak to us about the history of the community and its development and their present struggle against the Canadian mining companies. Visit around the community projects such as: a bakery, seamstresses, etc.
Dinner and time for rest. We eat with our families

Day Five:

Beginning of our program in San Jose las Flores
Each morning we meet at the school and we discuss issues of importance to all of us. We start by learning more of the stories of the teachers we are working with. We learn especially about the context of teaching in a community profoundly affected by the war in El Salvador. This orientation also allows the Canadian teachers to learn about the resettlement of the community during the war.

The afternoons are open for further discussion amongst the Canadian group. This is also time for collective prayer and reflection.

Day Seven: Continuation of opening discussion


Day Eight:

Canadian teachers are expected to present for two sessions. The nature of the presentations are determined by the expertise of the group.




Day Nine:

Canadian teachers are expected to present for two sessions. The nature of the presentations are determined by the expertise of the group.

Day Ten:

Final session is planned by entire group – this could be a joint presentation by Salvadoran and Canadian teachers

Day Eleven:

Visit to the Sumpul River Ecological Project
Visit the local Swimming pool, and the famous Sumpul River, so bring your bathing suits. This is a chance for all teachers to spend a day together to learn motre about each other and to thank our families for hosting us.

Day Twelve:

8:30 AM. Leave for San Salvador and we will stop at Chalatenango City for some handicrafts sold by local artisans organized by CORDES.
Return to Casa La Amistad

Day Thirteen: Friday, July 15
8 AM. Drive to the Costa del Sol – beach

Saturday, July 16
Airport
Participants depart for Canada