One of the most exciting and fundamental aspects of CRISPAZ presence is the work of North Americans who share in the day to day struggle of the Salvadoran people. There are two options for people who would like to share their time, skills and talents by working and walking with the people in El Salvador: a short, summer immersion program and a more extended stay of 18-24 months.
CRISPAZ is committed to the mission of walking with the people, rather than doing for them. This entails a special awareness, understanding and commitment to reverse mission, whereby participants are open to learning and being formed by the daily life of the Salvadorans they are accompanying. Compañer@s are that: persons who accompany and participate in the life of those they live with; they are not volunteers going in to do a set job. Participants must be open to being shaped by those they live with, thereby assuring that, when the participant returns to his/her home country, the spirit of the Salvadorans will accompany them back to their North American reality. They will return home with a changed mind, soul and spirit.
CRISPAZ provides participants with ongoing support through the CRISPAZ community, including country orientation, reflections, formation, retreats, and skilled supervision by staff people working in their field. We have a team house in San Salvador which provides a space for reflection, rest, and social time outside of the participants’ placement community.
Long-term Accompaniment:
Long-term volunteers commit to a minimum of 15 months living alongside Salvadorans and working in one of our focus areas: Rural Community Accompaniment and South-North Solidarity .
Summer Immersion Program (SIP):
Through the SIPPIE program, participants come to El Salvador for a six-ten week immersion stay during the summer months. SIPPIE’s live with a family in a rural community and contribute their skills to local community projects.