St. Sebastian and Teosinte, El Salvador
Since 1992, St. Sebastian Parish in Milwaukee, working with the SHARE foundation, has had a twinning relationship with Teosinte, El Salvador.
WHAT IS SHARE?: SHARE is a non-profit organization that supports the empowerment of historically impoverished and marginalized communities in El Salvador. They strive to meet both the most immediate needs of the people and construct long-term sustainable solutions to the problems of social injustice, poverty, underdevelopment, and natural disasters. SHARE is not a charity organization, but rather a justice organization. They do not accompany Salvadoran communities simply because they are poor but because they are organized and forging visionary solutions for sustainable and justice-based rural development. SHARE partners with communities for workshops and informational presentations on a variety of topics: food, water projects, mental health, and Human Rights.
As a result of this concern for social justice and democracy, St. Sebastian Parish has partnered with SHARE since 1992. This partnership currently supports 2 primary projects in the region of Chalatenango (CCR) which includes St. Sebastian’s sister community, Teosinte:
“Food Sovereingty Project”: Objective is to teach women management skills through home gardens that provide a small income form the sale of their products.
“Integral Development of Youth Through Academic Education, Organization and Political Training”: Objective is to offer the youth in community leadership the opportunity to continue with their studies and strengthen their organizational and political capacities, allowing them to make significant contributions to the development of their respective communities and deter them from joining gangs or migrating to other countries. 570 high school and 75 university students are benefiting from these scholarships.
Additionally, SHARE partners with communities for workshops and informational presentations on a variety of topics: food, water projects/environmental sustainability, mental health, breast and cervical cancer prevention, and Human Rights.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: With your generous contribution through the 2025 Mission Appeal on October 19, you will join SHARE in promoting justice and economic development in El Salvador. Mission envelopes for donations will be in the pews beginning on October 19. Place envelope in collection basket or designated basket in the gathering space.
For online donations through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and our Missionary Cooperation Plan visit: https://tinyurl.com/mcpgroup70
Recent Updates:
“PEACE IS GENEROSITY.”
–Oscar Romero, martyred Archbishop of El Salvador (Canonization in Oct. 2018)