In the small Christian Base Community called “Father Mauricio Merino” by its members, 20 women have formed a committee in recent years to escape from the marginalization of the system.  The community is located in Sacacoyo in the department of La Libertad.

 

The women in the committee have learned to critically analyze their situation and the role of women in Salvadoran society.  This has allowed them to begin a struggle to break down the barriers that have for so long kept them marginalized: illiteracy, shyness, discrimination, and the lack of opportunities to use their skills and capabilities to support their families and their community.

Little by little the women are overcoming their fear, shyness, and shame thanks to the support of Laura Smith, a volunteer artist with ArtCorps, an association that uses art as a tool for social action.

The volunteer artist has taught them to use and express their creativity through the creation of rope baskets, cards, and paper flowers among other crafts.  “I decided to work with natural materials that we have or that are easily accessible, so that we don't have to pay for them.  Materials like ropes made from the bark of orchard trees have diverse appearances when torn apart.  They also use flowers and dry leaves, paper, watercolors, etc.,” Smith explained.

Many of the very creative cards created by the Sacacoyo women's committee were bought by delegations from Bellermine, Notre Dame, and Champaign as well as by the Bozza family, all of whom recently visited our country.

One of the principle objectives that the Brother Mercedes Ruiz Foundation (Fundahmer) has for the art project is to provide the women with an alternative source of work that allows them to generate income to support their families and their community.

The cards “have turned our really beautiful and the women certainly enjoy making them.  We also enjoy the chance to organize and to believe in ourselves.  This sets an example for other women and for our sons and daughters.”

In this way Smith is supporting the artistic work of the Sacacoyo women's committee.  The work allows the women to develop themselves within the community and to build a new image of the Salvadoran woman.

If you would like to help these admirable women, you can purchase their works of art in the Fundahmer Alternative Photocopy Center located in Colonia Jardines de Guadalupe, Avenida Río Amazonas, Casa #4, Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad, El Salvador.

Please don't hesitate to contact us by telephone at (503) 2243-2126 or (503) 2257-7987 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it