Co-partners of Campesinas is a US based, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization that supports New Hope and other associations
working for women’s education and empowerment in developing countries in Latin America. New Hope (La Nueva Esperanza in
Spanish) is an organization of sixty rural girls and women from four impoverished communities near Ilobasco, El Salvador, who
meet weekly to learn income-producing skills and advance the education of members and their children. To attend meetings
members may walk for several hours or travel by pick-up truck. ASODEMI (Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Mujer Indigena)
is a women’s organization located outside of Chichicastenango, Guatemala with goals similar to New Hope’s.
working for women’s education and empowerment in developing countries in Latin America. New Hope (La Nueva Esperanza in
Spanish) is an organization of sixty rural girls and women from four impoverished communities near Ilobasco, El Salvador, who
meet weekly to learn income-producing skills and advance the education of members and their children. To attend meetings
members may walk for several hours or travel by pick-up truck. ASODEMI (Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Mujer Indigena)
is a women’s organization located outside of Chichicastenango, Guatemala with goals similar to New Hope’s.
A View from a New Volunteer
by Joanne Murphy
Traveling to both El Salvador and Guatemala to visit the two projects was a wonderful introduction to Co-partners of
Campesinas and the work that has transpired over the years in conjunction with New Hope (Nueva Esperanza) and
ASODEMI (Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Mujer Indigena). Both community-based groups have dedicated
members, many of whom have been benefiting from program activities since the beginning. Since Co-partners works
very closely with the women they support, the women are the ones who actually chose projects and activities that are
of interest to them.
Handicrafts (artesania) are popular activities in both Ilobasco and Chichicastenango (Guatemala) that seem to foster
the most creativity and generate the most income for the women. However, we
feel that the quality and diversity of crafts could be improved. The micro-credit activity in Chichicastenango is taking
shape, yet the women do not have a complete grasp of how they might
best use the credit to increase their capital. Additional training is needed.
Computer classes have been a success in Ilobasco. The group was very pleased to receive 4 new computers (brining
the total up to 8) and Victor, who teaches the classes, is already looking forward to being able to work with more
students. Now, the challenge is to set up the 2 computers in Chichicastenango and see the same strides made by
Guatemalan members’ children as those in El Salvador. The desire is there, now it needs to be realized.
Getting to know the project activities and the women involved was enriching. It was great to see the communities
where they live and get to know more about the countries themselves. The home visits were a highlight – all of the
women are proud of what they have made of their homes and are eager to have guests. Sometimes it takes a lot to
open up to strangers, but these women seem to welcome the opportunity to extend their hand and greet a new friend.
Chichicastenango, more so than Ilobasco, provides insights into the culture through the markets that show beautiful
crafts and interesting food. All visitors have fun bargaining and filling up on goodies to bring home.
The future offers great opportunities for Co-partners and the two national organizations. Cheers to many more years
of success in working with such wonderful people!
Successes in El Salvador
Progress in Guatemala
Co-partners of Campesinas, Board of Directors
Archer Heinzen, Chairperson
Michelle Schuster, Secretary
Jim Heinzen, Treasurer
Donna Breslin
Julia González
Claire Schuster
Marie Keefe
Joanne Murphy
Maria Pansini
El Salvador Assistant
Víctor Manual Ortega
Guatemala Volunteers
Catalina Ventura
Tomasa Guarcas Sis
La Nueva Esperanza, Board of Directors
Rosa Flores, President
Evelia Flores, Vice-President
María Delmy Bran, Secretary.
Maria Eduvina Peña, Treasurer
ASODEMI, Board of Directors
Ana Suar, President
Josefa Larios, Secretary,
Candelaria Ignatio, Treasurer
Sebastiana Toh
by Joanne Murphy
Traveling to both El Salvador and Guatemala to visit the two projects was a wonderful introduction to Co-partners of
Campesinas and the work that has transpired over the years in conjunction with New Hope (Nueva Esperanza) and
ASODEMI (Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Mujer Indigena). Both community-based groups have dedicated
members, many of whom have been benefiting from program activities since the beginning. Since Co-partners works
very closely with the women they support, the women are the ones who actually chose projects and activities that are
of interest to them.
Handicrafts (artesania) are popular activities in both Ilobasco and Chichicastenango (Guatemala) that seem to foster
the most creativity and generate the most income for the women. However, we
feel that the quality and diversity of crafts could be improved. The micro-credit activity in Chichicastenango is taking
shape, yet the women do not have a complete grasp of how they might
best use the credit to increase their capital. Additional training is needed.
Computer classes have been a success in Ilobasco. The group was very pleased to receive 4 new computers (brining
the total up to 8) and Victor, who teaches the classes, is already looking forward to being able to work with more
students. Now, the challenge is to set up the 2 computers in Chichicastenango and see the same strides made by
Guatemalan members’ children as those in El Salvador. The desire is there, now it needs to be realized.
Getting to know the project activities and the women involved was enriching. It was great to see the communities
where they live and get to know more about the countries themselves. The home visits were a highlight – all of the
women are proud of what they have made of their homes and are eager to have guests. Sometimes it takes a lot to
open up to strangers, but these women seem to welcome the opportunity to extend their hand and greet a new friend.
Chichicastenango, more so than Ilobasco, provides insights into the culture through the markets that show beautiful
crafts and interesting food. All visitors have fun bargaining and filling up on goodies to bring home.
The future offers great opportunities for Co-partners and the two national organizations. Cheers to many more years
of success in working with such wonderful people!
Successes in El Salvador
- Expansion of the computer center with 4 computers and 4 monitors. Challenge: finding a copy of the ’97
version of Microsoft Office that would work on the computers. The additional computers will allow students to
work individually, rather than having to share. The computer classes are run as a separate income-generating
activity with the hope that the profit generated might one day enable the organization to become self-supporting. - Survey of Program Benefits: In Ilobasco the team conducted a survey to get a picture of current participation
and whether or not members are able to use the skills they learn to increase family income. Of the 31 members
who completed the questionnaire, about a third were “old timers” who have participated in the group between 8
and 11 years. Due to their longevity, most of this group had participat\ed in a variety of activities and 8 of 9
reported earning $100 or more using skills they had learned in Co-partners’ classes. A second third of the
group, the “medium-termers’ had been members for 2 to 4 years. Most of this group had studied dressmaking
and a variety of other activities. A third of them reported income generated from skills learned in the association.
The youngest third of the group, the “new-comers” were primarily, but not exclusively in the dressmaking class
and as might be expected did not yet report earning income. - Reinstatement of transportation scholarships from a private Salvadoran donor, after clarification of procedures.
- Development of 2006 plan and budget.
Progress in Guatemala
- Resolution (we believe) of an impasse in the use of the donated computers.
- Personaria Juridica (legal status or incorporation) completed.
- Exploration and analysis of the use of micro credit and success of income generation activities.
- Plans made for 2006.
Co-partners of Campesinas, Board of Directors
Archer Heinzen, Chairperson
Michelle Schuster, Secretary
Jim Heinzen, Treasurer
Donna Breslin
Julia González
Claire Schuster
Marie Keefe
Joanne Murphy
Maria Pansini
El Salvador Assistant
Víctor Manual Ortega
Guatemala Volunteers
Catalina Ventura
Tomasa Guarcas Sis
La Nueva Esperanza, Board of Directors
Rosa Flores, President
Evelia Flores, Vice-President
María Delmy Bran, Secretary.
Maria Eduvina Peña, Treasurer
ASODEMI, Board of Directors
Ana Suar, President
Josefa Larios, Secretary,
Candelaria Ignatio, Treasurer
Sebastiana Toh
July 2005 Newsletter
Co-partners of Campesinas
901 Second Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-548-6713
E-mail: heinzen@verizon.net www.copartners.org
Co-partners of Campesinas
901 Second Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-548-6713
E-mail: heinzen@verizon.net www.copartners.org
