Compartiendo EsperanzA

Video en Español EsperanzA is a charitable non-profit organization created by Escuela Americana classmates to offer assistance to citizens of El Salvador in need, especially in times of emergencies.

EsperanzA es una organización sin fines de lucro creada por compañeros de la Escuela Americana para ofrecer asistencia a salvadoreños en necesidad, especialmente en tiempos de emergencia.

My name is Anita Velis Spence. I was born and raised in El Salvador and am a proud alumna of the Class of ‘79 of Escuela Americana in San Salvador. My classmates and I recently formed an NGO called "Compartiendo EsperanzA" with the purpose of sharing hope (compartiendo esperanza) to Salvadoran citizens who are desperately hungry in the midst of this current global health crisis.

We are heartbroken over the pain and suffering that has been seen in the rural communities during the country’s extreme lockdown to combat COVID-19. Public transportation has shut down, leaving many heads of families unable to work or receive any form of income. Remittances from family members living abroad have diminished considerably, as Salvadorans in the U.S. find themselves struggling also. The country’s economic activity has plummeted due to social distancing restrictions, resulting in the shuttering of small businesses and factories, with the once-lively marketplaces at a stand-still and deserted.  Families are going hungry.

Hanging throughout the countryside are white flags hand lettered with desperate messages of hunger and aid requests. We can’t stand by and let our people suffer in such alarming distress! Although there is so much desperation and it seems overwhelming, we know how we can impact lives: one person, one family, one home, one community at a time. Compartiendo EsperanzA is committed to raise funds to provide food and essentials directly to Salvadoran families living in extreme conditions. Our team members residing in El Salvador are working closely with schools, churches and local leaders to identify families in dire need.

We urgently need your assistance so that Compartiendo EsperanzA can purchase $20 meal kits and distribute them to some of our most vulnerable communities. Any amount of money you’re able to donate will go towards assembling these meal kits. Helping even one person in need will do a world of good!
 
What's inside the packages?
6 lbs. of beans, and 4 lbs. each of rice, corn flour and sugar; 2 lbs. salt; 4 bags of pasta; 1 bag of atol (100% vegetable mixture produced from corn and soybean meal, fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, iron and zinc); 1 bottle cooking oil; 1 bottle bleach; 4 rolls of toilet paper; and a flyer with pictograms indicating best practices for protection from the virus.

How will the families in need be identified?
Through a collaboration with the Escuela Americana's charitable causes, our team has found community leaders within heavily impacted areas.

How will the packages be distributed?
Since public transportation is currently not available, we have partnered with a supermarket chain to aid in the orderly distribution of meal kits.

How many packages will it take to make a difference?
One reusable bag filled with food will stave off hunger for approximately one week. So, every single package counts! It's impossible to maintain hope on an empty stomach! If we eliminate chronic hunger, hope blossoms!

How can you help?
Help us reach our Phase I Goal! Yes, this is only Phase I. Once we reach our initial target, we will continue our fundraising efforts to tackle the evolving acute needs of the Salvadoran community, adapting our program as the country’s economy reopens.

Help us SPREAD THE WORD by texting this link to 5 close friends. Share this cause on your social media page(s): Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc. Here is a page with step-by-step instructions: bit.ly/EsperanzA-share

"Good exercise for the heart: reach out and help your neighbor." - Mark Twain

Compartiendo EsperanzA..........Phase I

<3 HEARTFELT THANKS FOR YOUR DONATION <3