Dia de la Cruz

Dia de la Cruz

 Cada tres de mayo, frutas, adornos de papel y una cruz de jiote son los elementos para celebrar el tradicional Día de la Cruz.  Esta celebración invita a pedir por una buena cosecha y evitar que "el Diablo baile en nuestras casas". Pero más que una celebración religiosa es una representación del sincretismo en la cultura salvadoreña.

Every May 3rd, we celebrate the day of the cross with paper decorations and a cross.  This celebration is an opportunity to ask for a good harvest and avoid 'the devil dancing in our homes'.  More than a religious celebration, it is a representation of Salvadoran culture.










Los y las estudiantes de la Escuela junto a sus docentes hicieron todos los preparativos para dar gracias por sus frutos a la Madre Tierra: hicieron las decoraciones, sembraron la cruz y la adornaron; al final disfrutaron de "las ofrendas"

Together with their teachers, our Spanish students prepared the necessary decorations in order to give thanks to Mother Earth.  They made the decorations, planted and decorated the cross, and finally, they enjoyed the 'offerings'.

Sunset Dinner on Top of San Salvador Volcano

CIS political cultural program organizes trips to see El Salvador's beauty, be in solidarity with communities working for fair trade and enjoy the company of Salvadorans and people from around the globe.  Spanish students, volunteer English teachers, volunteer election observers and Salvadoran host families enjoy dinner and sunset on top of the San Salvador Volcano.

Mélida Anaya Montes Language School at CIS El Salvador

Whether you are learning Spanish or teaching English our educational process is a two-way street! At the Mélida Anaya Montes Language School we believe that teachers and students alike learn and teach throughout their experience. In the classroom, we focus on the students’ ability to communicate. Even beginners can hold conversations!

Using popular education methodology, our school incorporates core themes related to the social justice movement into language learning. Themes include:
-Human Rights
-Intervention of Dominant Powers in the Developing World
-Threats to the Environment and their Effects on Life
-The Social Movement-Roots and Causes

Spanish classes are offered in the mornings for beginners to advanced speakers. Spanish teachers are Salvadorans trained in teaching Spanish as a second language. They have a variety of experience levels; some with up to 8 years of teaching experience at CIS, and most are involved in the social movement.

English classes are also available for basic to conversational level students. Many of our Spanish students are also volunteer English teachers in the evenings! Classes are offered to adults and priority is given to those involved in the social movement, women struggling for their self-determination, and individuals who are unable to attend other language schools for financial reasons.

Marquette University Visits Colorada Island and Handbag Project

Woman with Cati's Handbag

Marquette University Economics and Business students visit Isla Colorada in El Salvador and "Cati's Hand Bag" project to exchange ideas about building alternative economic initiatives.  CIS promotes the hand made bags with hand woven fabric from San Sebastian as part of our solidarity craft project.  Salvadoran Enterprises for Women provides support to CIS and the women for development of their economic inicitative.   Bags are available through the CIS's website for approximately $20.   CIS delegations are a unique opportunity to experience Salvadoran reality first hand, build solidarity relationships, and accompany initiatives for social and economic justice.

Samples of some of the bags that the women of the Tasajera Island, to see more and place your order look at our online store.

Hand woven cloth that the bags are made from.

Indigo Dying Process Demonstration at San Luis Los Ranchos, Comasagua

CIS with Salvadoran Enterprises for Women (SEW) began working with organized women in San Luis los Ranchos, Comasagua, in 2005.   The first training women learned how to make indigo bath and several dying teqniques over a period of 6 months.  The women continued learning how to sew the articles they dye to generate income and employment in an area with no paid employment for women. Seven years later two of the women are studying at the university, 10 women are making school uniforms and have been accredited with government contracts, and 6 are dying and selling indigo articles.  In 2011the women won a prize from the Brazilian Government and as a result are getting further training and support.   Check out CIS online store:  www.cis-elsalvador or click below for a direct link.  

Indigo was exported from El Salvador to Europe for over 300 years and made 14 families wealthy in El Salvador, as a result of their enslavement and exploitation of the indigeouness population.  Now the indigenous culture is being brought back to train women and form more collective and just forms a production and distribution of the wealth generated.  

Student from University of Maryland learns dying technique.

Women young and old form part of the business.   The main employer of women in El Salvador, the textile maquila factories only employs women with a minimum of 9th grade education and only until they are 35 years old.  CIS/SEW sponsored projects allow women to work close to home and explore their talents no matter how young or old, and with different levels of formal education.

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Check out some of the amazing finished products on our online store!