About Co-partners of Campesinas
Co-partners of Campesinas was founded in 1997 by a small group of U. S. women volunteers
who had lived in San Salvador, El Salvador for many years. We had become aware of the dire
poverty of some of the areas outside of San Salvador and started the first program in Ilobasco
in a church hall.
Today, the organization has grown to include Chichicastenango, Guatemala. There are
approximately 10 North American volunteers who carry out all the organizational functions.
There is no paid staff, and volunteers pay their own travel expenses. All contributions are
used for projects and communications through mailings and the website. There are over 50
women active in the Ilobasco program and 40 women in the 3-year old Guatemalan program.
who had lived in San Salvador, El Salvador for many years. We had become aware of the dire
poverty of some of the areas outside of San Salvador and started the first program in Ilobasco
in a church hall.
Today, the organization has grown to include Chichicastenango, Guatemala. There are
approximately 10 North American volunteers who carry out all the organizational functions.
There is no paid staff, and volunteers pay their own travel expenses. All contributions are
used for projects and communications through mailings and the website. There are over 50
women active in the Ilobasco program and 40 women in the 3-year old Guatemalan program.
Co-partners’ program is based on three tenets:
Girls’ education is one of the most effective development interventions. Mothers
are the key to keeping girls in school; therefore supporting mothers is a highly
effective approach for furthering girls’ education.
Rural women, despite limited education, are capable of designing, running, and
evaluating their own small development projects. In so doing they are powerful
role models for their daughters.
Girls' and women’s opportunities can be developed best through women’s
associations. Small skill training centers, located in borrowed quarters,
compatible with rural women’s schedules are effective in skill training.
are the key to keeping girls in school; therefore supporting mothers is a highly
effective approach for furthering girls’ education.
Rural women, despite limited education, are capable of designing, running, and
evaluating their own small development projects. In so doing they are powerful
role models for their daughters.
Girls' and women’s opportunities can be developed best through women’s
associations. Small skill training centers, located in borrowed quarters,
compatible with rural women’s schedules are effective in skill training.
Results of Co-partners of Campesina's Assistance:
The Organization in Ilobasco now has its own donated space for weekly
classes in dressmaking, computers, and other income-generating skills.
Families are enrolling more children in school. Over 100 school supply kits
and 50 transportation scholarships have been distributed.
Girls are staying in school and have lower pregnancy rates.
The local economy has improved. Through training and small loans,
members initiate small, income-producing projects to finance family needs, for
example, some women sell purses, hand-made clothing, embroidery and do
special occasion hairdressing which is now in vogue in El Salvador.
Women are assuming organizational and community leadership roles.
Communities benefit from more participation of women in development
projects.
classes in dressmaking, computers, and other income-generating skills.
Families are enrolling more children in school. Over 100 school supply kits
and 50 transportation scholarships have been distributed.
Girls are staying in school and have lower pregnancy rates.
The local economy has improved. Through training and small loans,
members initiate small, income-producing projects to finance family needs, for
example, some women sell purses, hand-made clothing, embroidery and do
special occasion hairdressing which is now in vogue in El Salvador.
Women are assuming organizational and community leadership roles.
Communities benefit from more participation of women in development
projects.
| Co-partners of Campesinas is a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. |
This is our "wheel", which illustrates how the consulting, mentoring, and material
support we provide to women's groups in Central America radiate into all facets
of their lives and those of their families and communities.
support we provide to women's groups in Central America radiate into all facets
of their lives and those of their families and communities.
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Co-partners of Campesinas, 901 Second Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, USA