Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an El Salvador Encounter?
A: The El Salvador Encounter (ESE) is an intensive learning experience for English speakers visiting El Salvador. It is a faith-based delegation that provides an opportunity for participants to explore a different reality and to build relations with the people of El Salvador.

Q: How long does a typical ESE delegation last?
A: Usually between 7 to 10 days.

Q: How many people can participate in the delegation?
A: We require a minimum 7 participants and a maximum of 15.

Q: What will we do during the delegation?
A: As a learning experience, the daily schedule is built around presentations by leaders in different fields, meetings with community-based groups, and visits to historic sites. Here’s a typical daily itinerary:

7:30am Breakfast at the guesthouse
8:30am Leave the guesthouse
9:00am Meeting with an Economist to learn about Salvadoran economic reality
12:00pm Lunch
1:30pm Leave for the Central American University (UCA)
2:00pm Meeting with a theologian at the UCA
3:30pm Tour the museum and rose garden commemorating the 6 Jesuit priests and 2 women who were martyred at the UCA in 1989
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Group reflection

Q: Will we have input into our itinerary?
A: Yes, we ask each group to choose a theme for their ESE delegation. The theme shapes your group’s itinerary and provides opportunities for in-depth learning about a specific topic.

Q: Our group is interested in focusing on a theme that is not listed in your literature. Can we suggest another theme?
A: Yes, our staff can work with groups who wish to develop their own themes.

Q: Our church/university/community group has a sister relationship with a Salvadoran community. Can CRISPAZ set up our trip and help us visit our sister community?
A: Yes, our staff can usually help to organize a visit to your sister community and plan an itinerary for several days of general orientation to El Salvador. We have found that most groups value the opportunity to learn about El Salvador’s current situation and history in addition to visiting a sister community. We would ask your group to choose a theme for this part of the Encounter itinerary.

Q: Our church/university/community group wants to form a relationship with a Salvadoran community. Can CRISPAZ set that up?
A: CRISPAZ does not have a sister community or twinning program, but we may be able to connect you to a partner organizations that helps form those relationships. Let us know if you are interested in an ongoing relationship with a community in El Salvador and we can help you explore the possibilities.

Q: Our group really wants to do something to help the people of El Salvador. Are there work projects that can we do?
A: An ESE delegation does not usually involve work projects because it is focused on learning and experiencing El Salvador. We hope that all of our delegations will consider ways to stand in solidarity with El Salvador when they return home. Sometimes the most helpful thing your group can do is to listen and then share what you have learned when you get back home!

Q: What does a faith-based experience mean?
A: CRISPAZ is an ecumenical organization that works with groups from many different backgrounds. While your delegation may not focus explicitly on religious issues, many of the Salvadorans you meet draw on their spirituality and faith in their work and daily lives. In your group’s reflections, you will have an opportunity to talk about how your ESE experience affects all aspects of your lives, including faith and spirituality.

Q: Can we lead our own reflections or conduct religious services?
A: Of course, our staff is happy to work with you in scheduling and planning reflections and religious services.

Q: How much does the delegation cost?
A: Program fees are calculated at a rate of $95 per person per night. We require a deposit of $50 per person to lock in your preferred dates. The deposit is applied to your overall costs.

Q: What is included in the program fee?
A: Program fees cover all in-country expenses including ground transportation, itinerary planning, interpretation, food and lodging. The fees also cover pre-trip planning materials including a participant’s manual for each participant. The program fee does not include gifts or other personal expenses.

Q: Does the program fee include airfare?
A: No, each group is responsible for finding and purchasing their plane tickets.

Q: Are there any discounts available?
A: Yes, for delegations with more than 10 participants, we waive the program fees for the 11th person. Some groups use this discount to cover their leader’s costs or divide the discount equally among all the participants.

Q: How do I schedule an El Salvador Encounter?
A: Contact CRISPAZ at encounter@crispaz.org or call our Boston office (617) 567-2900. We will work with your group to find dates for your group to visit El Salvador. Each participant will be asked to complete an application and sign a release form. The group will be asked to complete an interest survey.

Q: How does our group guarantee that we get our first choice of dates?
A: The first step is to plan early. Many delegations are scheduled a full year in advance. It’s best to start the process six-nine months before you hope to travel to El Salvador. Delegation dates are not locked in until we receive a deposit, so plan to send it three months before your trip.

Q: There are members of our group who have been to El Salvador before. Can we set up our own itinerary?
A: Our staff encourages participant input in the itinerary planning process, including specific meetings and speakers. After the itinerary has been set, we expect that everyone in the group will follow the same itinerary and group activities.