July 1998

New Hope Thrives

The 1997 Co-partners annual report indicated that the year’s theme had been "organizational evolution" referring to New Hope’s functioning with less advisory input and Co-partners newly achieved tax-exempt status. At mid-year 1998 we can already say that this years theme for New Hope is "organizational independence". Although Salvadorean advisors, Gloria Martel and Rosa Irma Mendoza, had planned to continue with twice monthly visits, due to illness and business obligations they were unable to do so. Happily, the board under the guidance of president Rosa Flores was able to keep the organization running smoothly, continuing the school supplies program in January and providing three classes, two levels of dressmaking and one in embroidery during the first two quarters.

Members Making Sock Dolls

Although the reduced number of classes has resulted in some decrease in membership, correspondence from the president and treasurer indicate that they are pleased with how the training program is functioning.

New Hope Scholar

Twenty-five year old Delmi Lozano is the reason for the New Hope scholarship program. For the five years since the organization’s founding, New Hope members have held an annual Christmas/graduation party. Every year members of the five participating communities prepare both food and a performance for the occasion. For the 1995 party Delmi, as a surprise, recruited, taught and costumed eight children from her community to perform a traditional Christmas folk dance called the Pasquarela. The dance was executed almost perfectly and the children were, of course, all adorable. Group members and advisors were astounded at Delmi’s ability to organize and teach a group of small children complex maneuvers in a short time. It was this performance that brought attention to Delmi’s ability as a teacher and gave the advisors the idea of starting a scholarship program to allow Delmi (and hopefully others in the future) to complete high school and university training.

Children Dancing the Pascuarela

Six weeks after the Christmas party, after intensive family discussions, Delmi enrolled in an accelerated, Saturday-Sunday program that will allow her to earn the bachillerato in five years. Week end programs like the one that Delmi is attending are often the only option a rural youth to get education beyond elementary school. Delmi’s enrollment is unusual for rural El Salvador. Although the had completed ninth grade, Delmi had been out of school for eight years and had a small child. It was highly unusual for someone from Delmi’s community to continue beyond ninth grade and even more unusual that it should be a young woman who had been out of school for so many years and with child rearing responsibilities. Delmi has persevered in the week end program for two and a half years and has two and a has another year and a half to go. Three cheers for Delmi! And three cheers for the contributors who are making her study possible. Children trained by Delmi to Dance the Pasquarela

Fundraising Plans

Through the generosity of co-partners located in Virginia, North Carolina, Wisconsin and El Salvador was raised in 1997 and has been contributed in ’89. The current plan is to conduct an annual fundraising campaign in November and December each year. We’ll keep you up to date on activities twice a year, but only ask you to take out your checkbook once a year. Thanks again for your support. Please let us know your suggestions for improving the organization.

*Approximately $1000 of this amount was donated directly to New Hope prior to the funding of Co-partners and $1115 was donated through Co-partners.

Co-partners of Campesinas Board of Directors

Chairperson: Archer Heinzen, Alexandria, VA

Sec./Treas.: Glynne Leonard, Falls Church, VA

Board Members:

Julia Gonzalez, Alexandria, VA

Phoebe Lansdale, Silver Spring, MD

Gloria Martel, San Salvador, El Salvador

Rosa Irma Mendoza, San Salvdor, El Salvador

Teresa Rodriguez de Sarroca, Rome, Italy

Pilar Lecarios, Lima , Peru

La Nueva Esperanza (New Hope) Board

President: Rosa Flores

Vice President: Chita Rodriguez

Secretary: Adriana Dinora Rivas

Tresasurer: MariCruz Mendoza