Here we all are along with Zulma Tabar, fourth from left, Maren Walsh, third from right and Kelly Calles, second from right- all three are staff with USESSC. We are standing in front of a brand new retaining wall built with the aid of funds from MASCP.

Dear Friends of MASCP,

Travelers with MASCP just returned from El Salvador where we visited friends and organizations in Arcatao as well as the community of Las Anonas de la Cruz, Philadelphia’s sister city. Joanie Brooks and Mary Durkin from Philly joined us on the trip this year. It was the first time we had a joint delegation like this and it was a huge success. The communities are very different yet some of the challenges they are facing are similar: access to clean water being one of the main ones.

As you know, a flood in the fall of 2023 destroyed the old retaining wall which protected the low-cost community restaurant from flooding. The Junta Directiva (Arcatao Town Council) worked hard to gather the funds and do the work to get this new wall built before the rainy season in 2024. The amount of work was so impressive!

Here we are in the Atlanta airport about to board for San Salvador. Left to right: Joan Laurion, Gabriel Christner, Maria Brown, Carissa Christner, TJ Hinds and Carol Samuel.

Watch for a meeting in early August where we’ll share more about the trip and what we learned about the political, social, and cultural situation in each of the communities.

You can learn more about the trip by taking a look at our Facebook page where there are more photos and information.

 Are you interested in traveling with MASCP? MASCP will be sponsoring a trip to Arcatao in late March, 2025. Watch for the announcement on our Facebook page and in our newsletter of get togethers to learn more about traveling with MASCP in 2025 starting in October 2024. You can sign up here to receive our occasional newsletters and donate to the work of MASCP.

Find MASCP at the International Festival Saturday, June 29 from 10 am to 5 pm

Embroidery co-op member Carmen with one of her beautiful embroidered pieces

 Join us for Day One of the Overture Center's International Festival. Enjoy free performances including dancing, drumming, singing, fiddling, and more. Delicious international foods and a wide variety of arts and crafts will be available for purchase.

Come and see what we've brought back from the women's embroidery co-op this year!

Performance and vendor details are available on Overture's website.

We hope to see you there! Bring your friends and family.

Celebrating Madison’s Sister Cities Photo Exhibit June 24 ~ August 11

MASCP is thrilled to be represented in an exhibit showcasing Madison’s ten sister cities on display at the Overture Center’s Rotunda Gallery. The exhibit celebrates Madison’s enduring legacy of supporting meaningful relationships worldwide through its sister city programs in Arcatao, Freiburg, Vilnius, Camagüey, Mantova, Obihiro, Tepatitlan, Kanifing, Bahir Dar and Cusco. Stop by the exhibit and take a peak into the windows of our partner cities throughout the world and…..

Join us in the Rotunda Gallery on Sunday, July 28, from

2 to 4 pm, for an exhibit reception and celebration of international friendships.

More reception information forthcoming in July.

The exhibit is sponsored by Madison’s Sister City Collaboration Committee.

For further information contact Carolyn Gantner at carolyngantner6[at]gmail.com