EL Salvador Trip
Dates:
January 4th 2011 to January 14th 2011
Basic Itinerary:
During the 1980s, El Salvador, Central America's smallest and most densely populated nation, found itself entrenched in a bloody civil war that placed rural Salvadorans at odds with the US financed Salvadoran military. Over 100,000 people were killed in the armed conflict, and hundreds of thousands more displaced and injured. This war left deep scars on the people of El Salvador, and thirty years later, the country is still fighting to develop into a stronger nation economically, and in terms of quality of life for its people.
Our ministry will serve various types of social service programs during our stay in El Salvador, including a day program for children who live in the Tutunichapa slum, serving the people of Casa Esperanza ("Hope House") Homeless Ministry, as well as working in educational and medical ministries supported by the Salvadoran Lutheran Church.
A group of up to 25 students from this ministry will be there from January 4 - 14, 2011. The students involved will take time both during the trip and after the project to discuss the faith issues involved there -- both for themselves and for the wider church. Participants will be asked to raise funds to cover part of the $1,300 cost of the trip.
Cost Estimates:
The overall cost (including the flight) will be about $1,300.
Fundraising:
The planning committee is committed to fundraising to minimize the cost for students. During the fall, trip participants will be cooking dinners for local congregations and asking for a goodwill donation. Endowment grants will also be applied for during the fall. Additionally, participants will be asked to send letters to home congregations, family members, and friends. Lastly, there will be some cost that each participant will need to pay out of pocket.
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