Many Encounter groups express an interest in making donations to organizations and projects before they even arrive in El Salvador. By no means are you expected to make donations during your trip. However, if you are interested in involving more people back home in your experience and in building solidarity collecting items to be donated during your trip might be a good idea. Through work in our four focus areas, we have been able to identify items that are always of use to our partner organizations and communities. We think these items can be put to good use without contributing to disempowering paternalism or dependency.

For projects and volunteer placements:

Rural Community Accompaniment Project

•   Children’s, prenatal and adult vitamins
•   Paper, pencils, pens, markers, glue etc. for workshops and projects
•   Soccer balls
•   Notebooks for workshop participants
•   Mini tape recorder for recording stories, personal testimony etc.
•   Simple children’s games which do not require language skills or literacy
•   Vegetable garden seeds
•   Basic dental supplies: toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss

Items that can be raffled by groups to earn money for projects:

•   Watches
•   Backpacks
•   New T-shirts
•   Decorative Items
•   Soccer balls, basketballs.

CRISPAZ team:

•   Laptop computer for office and volunteer use
•   Herbal teas, natural remedies for common illnesses, vitamins etc.