Some Good News from MASCP! |
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Dear Friends of MASCP, The political situation in El Salvador and for our friends in our sister city of Arcatao is pretty rough right now. We could be writing about the national “State of Exception” and the incarceration of over 2% of the population; or that the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, is being called the “coolest dictator in the world”; or that the value of the Salvadoran Bitcoin holdings has fallen 50%: or that there was extensive flooding in the capital city and even in mountainous Arcatao from Tropical Storm Celia…but not this time! This issue of our newsletter is dedicated to good things that are happening in Arcatao and with MASCP. We hope it expands the impression you get about El Salvador from mainstream media and reminds you of the magnificent resiliency of the people in Arcatao, the positive impact of community organizing there and the strong 36 year connection of Madison with the community of Arcatao. Enjoy some good news!** |
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Arcatao’s Annual Festival de Nance Let’s start off with a short clip from a longer TV spot about the “Festival de Nance” that was held in June 2022 in Arcatao. |
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Nance is a sweet, round, pitted fruit that looks like a cherry but delivers a unique taste and smell. It's also known by many other names, including nanche or hog berry and grows wild all around Arcatao. This festival is held at the end of their summer and everyone on the community either organizes, participates or attends the festival! In the video, you’ll see people you may have met in Arcatao, foods you’ll recognize and those you won’t and even glimpses of the beautiful embroidery that the women in Arcatao create to decorate clothing and embellish cloths that cover baskets of food. Welcome to Arcatao’s Festival de Nance! |
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Forest Restoration Project Underway in Arcatao Arcatao is in the northern mountains of El Salvador which was heavily bombed during the civil war in the 1980s. Some areas have never been restored to natural vegetation but that effort is now underway. Earlier this summer, the community held a family planting day where kids, parents, and elders all got involved. Like all committees in Arcatao, the Environment Committee which organized the event is comprised of both seasoned community organizers and young people who |
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are learning about the how and why of organizing from their elders. We can’t wait to see the fruits of their efforts during the MASCP delegation to Arcatao in the Spring of 2023. Contact us if you are interested in joining us or just want to hear more about what being on a delegation is like. |
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Come get your balloon rabbits at the MASCP Farmer’s Market -September 3rd! We’ll be at the King Street corner of the square with balloon rabbits for the kids and grandkids from 9 AM-1 PM. Come visit with old friends, share news from El Salvador, catch up with MASCP current projects and grab a rabbit. We would love to see you there! |
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Creation of MASCP’s “Sue and Art Lloyd Youth Development Fund” We are so proud to honor longtime activists and supporters of MASCP with the creation of the “Sue and Art Lloyd Youth Development Fund.” |
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Sue and Art played pivotal roles in so many community organizations and movements in Madison and Wisconsin. One of them was the creation of MASCP in 1986 and ensuring the long life of MASCP to this day. Both Sue and Art viewed the development of youth leadership as absolutely critical to the continuity of community organizing for peace, justice, and the engagement of civil society in both the US and EL Salvador. We feel this fund perfectly commemorates Sue and Art’s lasting impact on MASCP. This newly created fund will continue to provide scholarships to college-bound youth |
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from Arcatao and support for the youth-led community radio station, Radio Farabundo Martí. AND as a new initiative, MASCP will work with the Youth Development Committee in Arcatao to provide funds for the engagement and support of youth who are just stepping into active roles in the workings of the community. We’re very excited to expand our support for young people in Arcatao! If you’d like, you can participate in Art and Sue’s name by donating online or by check to MASCP’s Sue and Art Lloyd Youth Development Fund. Many thanks! |
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Child Care Center in Arcatao has a New Roof Thanks to your generosity, el Centro Infantil (early childhood center) in Arcatao completed work on their new roof just in time for the rainy season. No more rain is leaking into the center! The teachers have sent us a heartfelt thank you for your help in buying materials and paying the construction costs for their new roof. The next projects on their wishlist include new fencing around the center and repairing the children’s outhouse. Here’s another way you can show your solidarity with our friends in Arcatao. Please donate to MASCP online or by check to continue improving the lives of the teachers and children at el Centro Infantil and other projects in Arcatao and the region. Many many thanks! |
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Mark Pocan welcomes MASCP members on August 18, 2022 MASCP member, Abi Degner, arranged a meeting with Congressman, Mark Pocan, to let him know about the political situation in El Salvador, how it is affecting young people in Arcatao and the rest of the country and the possibility of limiting US funding to El Salvador. |
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Mr. Pocan welcomed us literally with open arms, giving Barb Alvarado a big hug. He had traveled to Arcatao in 1998 with Barb and a MASCP delegation that included Mayor Sue Bauman. Mark has been a great friend of MASCP ever since. Our conversation was very open and honest. Mark knew that things were difficult in El Salvador but did not know the specifics and was appreciative to understand Bukele’s policies and how they are impacting the people there. He understood immediately the pitfalls of using Bitcoin as a national currency. We thanked Mark for working with Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California to limit military funding. Mark asked us to write and call as financial legislation moves through Congress to share our perspective on any further funding for El Salvador. We will keep YOU posted and ask you to participate in supporting the social movement in El Salvador and Arcatao as these funding bills come up for a vote. Thanks for all your support! |
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