Media Delegation to El Salvador

Joel Fath, Mark Gingerich, Celeste Kennel-Shank, Rachel Lapp, Anna Newburn and Duane Stoltzfus traveled to El Salvador to report on how communities are being affected by fair trade coffee standards.

The members of Goshen College coffee delegation arrived in San Salvador on Saturday, January 17, in time for supper. They took part in a delegation sponsored by CRISPAZ (Christians for Peace in El Salvador) and the fair trade company Equal Exchange.

The following links loads a new window with personal reflections by members of the delegation.

  Joel | Mark | Celeste | Rachel | Anna | Duane

Here is a brief overlook of the week's activities.

• Saturday (17 Jan.): Arrived in San Salvador
• Sunday: Visited the national cathedral, and viewed Oscar Romeroís tomb. Attended the BASE community church service in the basement of the national cathedral. Traveled to Romero's church where he was shot and then visited his home.
• Monday: Traveled to coffee cooperative Las Colinas, in the western region of the country, within sight of Guatemala. Spent the day speaking with the cooperative members and viewing the coffee production process. Spent the night with cooperative members in their homes.
• Tuesday: Traveled to the mountain slopes to talk with cooperative members harvesting coffee.
• Wednesday: Celeste and Joel visited MCCers Lynford Martin and Chloe Grass in La Florida. The remaining members of the media team stayed in San Salvador for lectures, speakers and to shop at the CRISPAZ fair trade products store.
• Thursday: Reunited group traveled to El Pinal coffee cooperative. Spent the day with the members, asking questions, interviewing members and learning about their history.
• Friday: Wrapped up, had final reflections with delegation in San Salvador.
• Saturday (24 Jan.): Returned to Goshen, Indiana.