For those of you who are not familiar with Project Salvador, here is a very brief summary of our history, current projects, and plans for the next 5 years (as taken from our 2012-2016 Strategic Plan):
Project Salvador began in 1986 with the efforts of
Dominican priest, Father Jim Barnett, who worked in the marginalized community
of 22 de Abril in metropolitan San Salvador. Father Jim organized a group of
young people who made crafts for sale in the United States to help generate
some income for their families. Since these humble beginnings Project Salvador
has funded over 150 development and material aid projects. At our 25-year anniversary in 2011, we
celebrated over $2.2 million in projects funded and $1.3 million in craft sales
Since 2006, the Board of Project Salvador has
decided to focus our work in the following areas:
1-The Karen Adams Microlending Project establishes
Microlending Committees for women in rural communities in north central El
Salvador. This project expanded to 31 communities in 2012 and has a 98.5%
payback rate on credit loans ranging from $50-200. Since 2005, over 840 women and their families have benefited
directly from this project.
2-The Center for Arts for Peace in Suchitoto provides a community space
for reconciliation and building a cultural identity for the former war zone.
The Center sponsors community events, classes, and delegation visits throughout
the year.
3-Community Organizing Projects through PICO El Salvador by empowering
local leaders to address local, regional and national issues in El Salvador
including public safety & violence prevention, community health,
infrastructure, and local economic development. Development of local leadership is key to these efforts
holding elected official accountable to address community needs.
4-Scholarship program for over 150 pre-school, elementary school, middle
school, high school and university students in the Departments of Chalatenango,
Sonsonate, La Libertad, Las Cabañas, Ahuachapán, Cuscatlán and San Salvador.
5-Our Proyecto Los Niños monthly donors continue to sustain the Nutrition
Program for Children and Senior Citizens in the parish of Plan del Pino serving
60-80 children and 120-150 seniors in various stages of malnutrition. Funding covers the cost of basic
foodstuffs and a Saturday morning medical clinic at the parish.
6-Plan del Pino Youth Center is in its planning stages. The site has been purchased with
partial funds from Project Salvador.
In addition to providing continuing support for
the aforementioned projects, Project Salvador would like to focus on the
following 5 goals for the future:
- Raise at least $25,000/year for funding development projects and operations
- Increase awareness of the plight of the marginalized of Central Americans
- Promote Project Salvador’s ongoing efforts
- Strengthen Project Salvador’s board and staff
- Expansion of reporting progress to existing and potential donors through website, newsletters, and other social media
A LOT more great information about Project Salvador's history and current projects can be found on our newly updated website at www.projectsalvador.org!
Thanks for reading our FIRST blog post! Please be sure to check-in regularly to see what is new with Project Salvador. Feel free to leave any questions or comments you may have.
