Salvadoran Workers
Hard Workers
One of my biggest jobs on our trips to El Salvador is to observe, store those observations in my memory bank, reflect, and ponder how to share them with others. On this particular trip as we traveled around El Salvador, one particular observation struck me more than usual. Gosh, these people work hard physically both in terms of sustaining themselves on a daily basis to live, and in earning a.....
Priscilla Raul
Editor’s Note: Businesses in El Salvador, like those in the U.S., are experiencing the tragic ripple effects resulting from the COVID-19 virus. Guesthouses are highly dependent on visiting international delegations as their means of financial support. With the country’s border closed to visitors, those delegations are no longer able to visit. One such organization we support, CRISPAZ, a faith-based organization, for example, will lose half of its visiting delegations this.....
Jose Martinez
Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here “Despite working long hours, the salaries do not increase; they remain minimal” Editor’s Note: Interviewing a sugarcane worker has been on our “bucket list” for some time now. It is impossible to spend any time in the rural areas of El Salvador without seeing sugarcane fields stretching as far as the eye can see from.....
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Jose Martinez - Spanish
Translated by Santiago Sanchez “A pesar de las largas jornadas de trabajo, los salarios no suben; permanecen en mínimos” Nota del editor: entrevistar a un trabajador de caña de azúcar ha estado en nuestra lista desde hace algún tiempo. Es imposible pasar algún tiempo en las áreas rurales de El Salvador sin ver los campos de caña de azúcar extendiéndose hasta donde la vista alcanza desde las carreteras hasta los.....
Salvador Menendez
“ I never hold grudges; I always look to the future, never back at the past.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here Editor’s Note: It is rare to see Salvador alone. He generally has a grandchild in his arms or is engaged in conversation with someone. He ALWAYS wears a huge smile on his face. He is in constant motion.....
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Salvador Menendez - Spanish
SALVADOR MENENDEZ Spanish translation provided by Profesora Espanol Jeanette Fogarty [Nunca guardo rancor; siempre miro hacia adelante, nunca atrás en el pasado.] Una nota del editor: Es raro ver a Salvador solo. Generalmente tiene un nieto en sus brazos o está conversando con alguien. SIEMPRE lleva una gran sonrisa en su rostro. Está en constante movimiento dirigiéndose a cualquier necesidad que surja. A medida que nuestra entrevista avanzaba, se agitó.....
Alfredo Artiga
Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here “ I have an open mind about other possibilities that may appear. I hope things improve. I want to help my family.” Editor’s Note: It defies my imagination how deep the tyranny of the Salvadoran gangs can infest certain neighborhoods or communities by totally disrupting the lives of their everyday citizens. Fear from intimidation paralyzes.....
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Alfredo Artiga - Spanish
ALFREDO ARTIGA Translation by Juan Escobar “Tengo una mente abierta sobre otras posibilidades que pudieran aparecer. Espero que las cosas mejoren. Deseo ayudar a mi familia”. Nota del editor. La manera en la que la tiranía de las pandillas salvadoreñas puede invadir tan profundamente ciertos vecindarios o comunidades, alterando totalmente las vidas de sus ciudadanos, desafía mi imaginación. El miedo, nacido de la intimidación, paraliza a los comerciantes, al punto.....
Nicole Santamaria - Spanish
NICOLE SANTAMARIA Translated by Profesora Español Jeannette Fogart <<Yo nunca le echo la culpa a la gente.>> Una nota del editor: Las injusticias y las violaciones de los derechos humanos toman muchas formas diferentes oscilando de la discriminación, negando el acceso a los derechos humanos incluyendo la educación, el empleo, y el derecho para votar, el abuso emocional y físico, a los asesinatos con mutilaciones y desmembramientos bárbaros. Todo lo.....
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Nicole Santamaria
I Never Blame People Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: Human rights injustices and violations take on many different forms ranging from discrimination, denying access to basic rights including education, employment, and the right to vote, emotional and physical abuse, to assassinations with barbaric mutilation and dismemberment. All of the above is particularly true of women in El Salvador,.....
Francisco “Kiki” Enrique Viera Ramos
FRANCISCO ENRIQUE VIERA RAMOS (NICKNAMED “KIKI”) “We just [feed the homeless] because we see it as a ministry of helping people in need.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: Some of our other friends invited us to join them in Kiki’s ministry to help cook a meal and join in delivering at night in downtown San Salvador. .....
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Francisco Enrique Viera Ramos - Spanish
FRANCISCO ENRIQUE VIERA RAMOS (APODADO KIKI) Translation by Juan Escobar “Solo lo hacemos (alimentar a los desamparados) porque lo vemos como un ministerio de ayuda para las personas en necesidad”. Nota del editor. Unos amigos nuestros nos invitaron a unirnos al ministerio de Kiki para ayudar a preparar comida y repartirla durante la noche en el centro de San Salvador. Kiki fue lo bastante flexible incluso para cambiar.....
Mario Mancia
MARIO MANCIA (Storyteller’s name is a pseudonym for protection purposes) “It was more painful for me to be without my son than to be locked up in prison.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: Choices Others who grow up living in a situation similar to Mario’s may choose to give up, become callous, or turn violent. Not Mario......
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Mario Mancia - Spanish
MARIO MANCIA translation by Brian Rude "Fue más doloroso para mí estar sin mi hijo que estar encerrado en la cárcel." Nota del editor: Opciones Otros que crecen viviendo en una situación similar a la de Mario pueden optar por renunciar, volverse insensibles, o llegar a ser violentos. Mario, no. Él no se limitó a sobrevivir a una infancia terrible y una juventud aterradora; decidió mantenerse resistente durante los tiempos.....
Julio (Tito) Mancia - Spanish
JULIO “TITO” MANCIA Translated by Juan Escobar “Algunas veces, uno tiene que sufrir en la vida para apreciar su valor.” Nota del editor. La cautivante sonrisa de Tito evidencia su personalidad encantadora. Él es un hombre de negocios exitoso que nunca se olvida de sus raíces humildes. Sin embargo, ha experimentado su merecida cuota de situaciones difíciles al coquetear con el peligro, pero, gracias a Dios, él consiguió superarlas y.....
The Deal
THE DEAL A Fanta and a handshake = a deal Gray-suited executives sign multi-million dollar deals while wiring electronic transfers from their financial accounts across continents in seconds. This is the reality of the corporate world of business deals in developed countries. It is a high pressure, cutthroat world with an emphasis on how MY company will benefit. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the equally enterprising and.....
Ever Rivas
STORY OF EVERS RIVAS SIGARAN Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. “Many youth have skills and are trained in a career, but there are no opportunities to use those skills.” Editor’s Note: Coffee is El Salvador’s top agricultural cash export crop as of this writing. Its production varies depending on the volatile weather conditions which can be severe tropical depressions.....
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Evers Rivas - Spanish
La historia de Evers Rivas Sigaran This translation has been done thanks to the collaborative work of the students Milagro Holmes, Kati Horning, Anna Hudson, Allegra Hunter, Mikala Miller, Emily Pattavina, Anani Serbeniuk and Anabel Torijano. It has been edited by Dr. Esperanza Roncero. Nazareth College, East Rochester, NY “Muchos jóvenes tienen entrenamiento y han estudiado una carrera, pero no tiene oportunidades de trabajo.” Nota del editor: En el momento.....
Rosa Anaya Perla
“If we listen to one another's stories, we may have common ground to bring down the borders.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: Rosa has been in the public eye since age 10 when she witnessed the assassination of her father, Herbert, famous human rights activist during the civil war. She often writes a tribute to him close to.....
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Rosa Anaya Perla - Spanish
ROSA ANAYA PERLA "Si escuchamos las historias uno del otro, podemos tener una base común para derribar las fronteras". Nota del editor: Rosa ha estado en el ojo público desde los 10 años cuando fue testigo del asesinato de su padre, Herbert, famoso activista de los derechos humanos durante la guerra civil. A menudo ella escribe un homenaje a él cerca de la fecha del aniversario de este evento......
Marisol Escobar - Spanish
MARISOL ESCOBAR DE MOLINA “Mi familia es sagrada para mi” Nota del editor: He estado escuchando maravillas a cerca de esta “leyenda” llamada Marisol a traves de varias personas durante años y estaba deseando encontrarme con ella. Después de una llamada telefónica ella apareció mágicamente en el plazo de una hora e ilumino la habitación con su deslumbrante belleza y su encantadora personalidad. Ella es un ejemplo de quien, incluso.....
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Marisol Escobar
MARISOL ESCOBAR DE MOLINA “My family is sacred to me.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: I’ve been hearing glowing accounts of this “legend” named Marisol from various individuals for years and have been eager to meet her. After a phone call she appeared magically within the hour and lit up the room with her dazzling beauty and charming.....
Carlos Molina
CARLOS MOLINA “Everything in life has a purpose even though you don’t see it at the time; it’s not a coincidence.” Editor’s Note: “WHEW!” I sigh and take a huge breath when Carlos completes reflecting on his life’s story. In only his mid-40s he has already lived four separate lives: a brief childhood, punctuated by a limited military “career,” followed by driving drugs across the U.S. for friends.....
Fabiola Escobar - Spanish
Nota del editor: La historia de esta muchacha parece la historia de muchos jóvenes en su país. Desde chiquita, le falló su familia. Fabiola fue despreciada, abusada, y decepcionada por su familia. Luego le falló el sistema de protección de menores del estado. Buscó una familia nueva en la pandilla y le llevó a la violación y decepción. Terminó en el centro de reinserción de menores, y estando adentro, fue.....
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Fabiola Escobar
FABIOLA ESCOBAR Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: This girl is a case study typical of so many youth in her country. Fabiola (pseudonyn) was let down, abused, and deceived by her family when very young. She was then let down by the state protection system. Seeking another form of family in the gang led to rape and betrayal......
Jose Artiga
ADDENDUM TO STORY OF NACERE JOSE ARTIGA ESCOBAR Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: We ran Jose’s full story in June, 2015. If you are new to our website and did not read it, you can access it by typing in “Jose Artiga” under the search stories box on our main page. Jose recently added his full Spanish.....
Don Fito - Spanish Version
NOEL HUMBERTO GUERRERO/DON FITO «La enseñanza es la profesión que está más conectada a los intereses de la humanidad y los intereses de la gente que cualquier otra.» Nota del editor: Esta lluviosa mañana lúgubre, 570 estudiantes sonrientes y curiosos se arremolinan alrededor en este parque de la comunidad vistiendo sus uniformes limpios y nítidos en los caminos fangosos que conducen a su escuela. Tienen solo 14 profesores, pero.....
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Don Fito
NOEL HUMBERTO GUERRERO/ DON FITO “Teaching is the profession that is more connected to the interests of humanity and interests of the people than any other.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: This rainy, dreary morning 570 smiling, engaging, curious students mill around on this campesino community playground wearing their crisp clean uniforms on the muddy paths leading.....
Ricardo Barrera - Spanish Version
RICARDO ADALBERTO BARRERA CAMPOS “He hecho un esfuerzo consciente para dedicarme a trabajar como voluntario en proyectos para mejorar e incrementar el nivel de vida de las comunidades marginadas.” Nota del Editor: Entrevistar a Ricardo en persona fue como entrevistar al hombre detrás de la leyenda. Yo había oído muchos comentarios positivos acerca de su obra caritativa tales como "Este tío tiene un corazón de oro para su gente.".....
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Ricardo Barrera
RICARDO ADALBERTO BARRERA CAMPOS “I have made a conscious effort to involve myself in volunteering in projects that will improve and enhance the living standards of marginalized communities.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: Meeting Ricardo in person was like meeting the man behind the legend. I had heard so many positive comments about his charitable work such.....
Ruben Vasquez Alfaro - Spanish
RUBEN VASQUEZ ALFARO «Da oportunidades a los niños y a las mujeres; la inclusión no la marginación.» Nota del editor: Los ojos de Rubén todavía se ponen brumosos cuando comparte la experiencia de la infancia que le sigue atormentando y motivando. Es el recuerdo de no tener suficiente comida y cuando su padre en silencio elige dividir lo poco que había para comer entre los niños en lugar.....
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Ruben Vasquez Alfaro
“I have been so blessed!” “Give opportunities for the children and women; inclusion not marginalization.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: Ruben’s eyes still get misty when he shares the childhood experience which continues to both haunt and motivate him. It is the memory of never having enough food and his dad’s quietly choosing to divide up what.....
Jonathan Hernandez – Spanish
Jonathan Oswaldo Tobar Hernández “Proceres Hernández” “Ahora cuando le paso a alguien pienso, tal vez esa es una persona que ayudé, y no tal vez es una persona que dañé.” Nota del editor: En Enero 2015 Jenna Knapp (una gran amiga de Jonathan que laboró muchos años en El Salvador) nos presentó a Jonathan para que lo entrevistáramos porque estaba convencida que su historia tiene que ser preservada y compartida.....
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Jonathan Hernandez
JONATHAN OSWALDO TOBAR HERNÁNDEZ (“PROCERES” HERNÁNDEZ) “Now when I walk past a person I can think, maybe that is a person I helped instead of maybe that is a person I hurt.” Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: JONATHAN’S DEAR FRIEND AND ADVOCATE, JENNA KNAPP, WHO LIVED AND WORKED IN EL SALVADOR FOR MANY YEARS, ARRANGED THIS INTERVIEW.....
Items Salvadorian Trucks Carry
ITEMS SALVADORAN TRUCKS CARRY Trucks overloaded with scrap metal, bouncy balls, gigantic baskets, mattresses, people, even mattresses AND people in the same load . . . . Napping in the car between locations is not an option when traveling throughout El Salvador. It’s just too fascinating to watch the sights on the highways and rural roads. You don’t want to miss catching a glimpse of what surprise will.....
Francisco Rivas - Spanish
El cuento de Francisco Rivas Marroquín <<Estos dos propietarios han dado a mi hijo lo que yo no he sido capaz de darle. >> Nota del editor: Esta era una parte de una entrevista combinación de un padre y su hijo a una finca de café donde ambos trabajan, pero el hijo de Francisco, Evers, ahora es el mandador. Habíamos tomado el pelo a Evers sobre lo que haría.....
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Francisco Rivas
STORY OF FRANCISCO RIVAS MARROQUIN [caption id="attachment_3393" align="aligncenter" width="683"] "These two owners have given my son what I have been unable to give him."[/caption] Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: This was a portion of a combination father/son interview at the coffee finca where both work, but Francisco’s son, Evers, is now the mandador ( foreman). We had.....
Jose Artiga - Spanish
NACERES JOSE ARTIGA ESCOBAR "Si usted tiene un área que ha sido destruida, enfóquese en una pequeña esquina para apoyar una flor y riéguela con cuidado y amor. Apoye los sueños de la gente, inclusive cuando puedan verse imposibles de lograr; quédese con la gente por el largo plazo. Enfóquese en la esperanza y finalmente podrá ver los frutos de su trabajo. {C.H. Definición de Dodd de una.....
Claudia Geraldina Aguirre Rivas
We can overcome anything with God’s help Claudia Geraldina Aguirre Rivas Editor’s Note: Imagine a celebratory uncorked bottle of clear bubbly champagne. Its effervescent action captivates everyone watching and cannot be contained. It is that same high-spirited vivacity and energy that begins to describe our delightful, engaging friend, Claudia. My use of “celebratory” goes beyond a bottle of champagne. Claudia celebrates all aspects of life. She plans.....
Damian Alegria
“I Was Involved in Working to Change the Story of My People and My Country.” You will not find the name Damian Alegria on my birth certificate. I have been known by numerous names–even at the same time. During the war when I worked in the mountains as an FLMN guerilla, it was necessary to have several names at the same time. I used different names with.....
Carolina Vasquez Alegria
ROSA “CAROLINA” VASQUEZ DE RIVERA ALEGRIA [caption id="attachment_2690" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Carolina in her outdoor courtyard[/caption] [Editor’s Note: Many of our readers personally know Carolina as the charming guesthouse hostess of The Oasis in San Salvador, which she and her husband, Damian, own and operate. When Carolina smiles, her entire body smiles, and she lights up a room. When we interviewed Damian several years ago, he shared snippets of.....
Maquiladoras (Sweatshops)
The Conundrum of the Maquiladora “Caroline, look; this year’s festival t-shirts are made in El Salvador!” our chairperson proudly and enthusiastically announced, assuming I would be overjoyed. It was an attractive jerzees t-shirt. I feigned delight. My head was spinning. Certainly on the surface it appears we are supporting the economy of our Salvadoran friends. Yet, my memory returns to driving from the airport into San Salvador past those huge, long.....
Mirna Perla
MIRNA ANTONIETA PERLA DE ANAYA JIMENEZ “We just felt with certainty, though, that things needed to change. We also understood that we did not have a choice but to act.” [caption id="attachment_2491" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Mirna Antonieta Perla De Anaya Jimenez[/caption] Esta historia se escribe en Español = This story is also written in Spanish here. Editor’s Note: The terms “accompaniment” and “advocacy” intertwine as part of the.....
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Mirna Perla - Spanish
MIRNA ANTONIETA PERLA DE ANAYA JIMENEZ " sin embargo, sentimos con certeza , que las cosas tenían que cambiar. . . . . También comprendimos que no teníamos más remedio que actuar " . [caption id="attachment_2491" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Mirna Antonieta Perla De Anaya Jimenez[/caption] Nota del Editor : Los términos "acompañamiento " y " procurar " se entrelazan como parte de la tela que teje la vida de.....
Samuel Carbajal
TRIBUTE TO SAMUEL CARBAJAL Editor’s Note: The following is based on my journal notes from short conversations we had with Samuel while riding in his taxi. I regret that I didn’t get a full interview with him as I had hoped before he passed; but here is a thumbnail sketch of a very special person who touched many lives and certainly eased the anxiety of many of us.....
Francisco Mena Ugarte
[caption id="attachment_2102" align="aligncenter" width="336"] [/caption] “I don’t focus on the EXistence of God; rather, about the INsistence of God” Editor’s Note: It is difficult to separate Francisco, the person, from Francisco, the CRISPAZ employee. That is a compliment. Francisco, the employee, is totally immersed in his job of sharing the Salvadoran experience with visiting delegations with honesty and integrity. In fact, it seems as though his position were created with.....
Lucia Artega
The Story of Lucia Artega “I wanted to help people, and it made sense to design a job where I could do that on a daily basis.” Editor’s Note: While this story is true in all respects, the name has been changed and the picture withheld by request for security reasons. This energetic, diminutive, happy woman is a blur of activity as she moves gracefully from one room to.....
Jose Santiago Munguia
The Story of Jose Santiago Munguia Joe Santiago Mumguia en español Spanish Translation available here. “Someone needs to look out for those without a voice; my dream is for them – those without.” Editor’s Note: This very slightly built, immaculately dressed, accommodating man who goes by the name of Santiago, drives with a Bible on his dashboard serving as a visual compass he steers.....
Maria Trinidad
“I Feel Blessed in the Sense to be Able to Care for Others And Hope that God Can Use Me” Lutheran Bishop Medardo Gomez has played a significant role in my faith and my personal life for many years. Like many Salvadorans, I was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. My parents and grandparents practiced Catholicism by taking the whole family to church every Sunday. We never questioned our faith.....
Juan Juaez
“I Trust God and Don’t Worry. He Will Provide.” A story of Juan Antonio Orellana Juarez When I asked to speak to a fisherman in this rural fishing village, in my mind’s eye the person I had pictured was a thin, middle-aged, stooped man whose skin was leathery and deeply creased from the sun. I thought he would be extremely shy and reluctant to talk to me, a total stranger,.....