Scranton on El Salvador
How Scranton Reflects on El Salvador
- Michael Allison, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of political science, teaches PS384 War and Peace in El Salvador. November 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the murders of six Jesuit priests at the Universidad of Central America in El Salvador. This course examines the events leading up to the outbreak of the country's civil war in 1979 to its conclusion via a United Nations-negotiated settlement in 1992, including the contentious role of the United States. Special attention is given to the murder of the six Jesuits in 1989 and efforts to find justice for their deaths.
- An article, entitled The Martyrs of the University of Central America and their Influence 20-Years Later, written for AJCU Connections magazine's November issue, by Thomas MacKinnon, Executive Director of the Pride, Passion, Promise Campaign at The University of Scranton.
How You Can Help!
- SCOPE Foundation
- founded by our very own U of S alumni, in honor of Rev. Brendan Lally, S.J., former Rector of The University of Scranton. The
SCOPE Foundation supports an inner city school, Santa Luisa, in San
Salvador, which educates the poorest of the poor.
- The University of Scranton Bridges to El Salvador program was
founded by Rev. Brendan Lally, S.J. in 1999 to foster a greater commitment
to peace and justice issues, and to inspire us to live our mission at
the University more fully. The program is an immersion experience in El Salvador for faculty, staff and administrators, and includes meeting with Universidad Centroamericana personnel and professors, educators, religious, women and young activists, economists, political figures, environmentalists and business leaders. For more information contact Marie Karam at (570) 941-4296, karamm1@scranton.edu
- The SEED Program, Scholarships to Establish Educational Development,
was founded by University of Scranton staff, faculty and administrators
who have participated in the Bridges to El Salvador program over the
last 10 years. You can purchase "SEED" certificates to help educate
the children of a village of 600 families, which has become very dear
to the Bridges project. The children of Las Delicias, near San
Salvador, live in deplorable conditions: corrugated metal huts lacking
sanitation and potable water, for example. Funds raised through the
purchase of these certificates cover school supplies, uniforms, shoes,
medical and related expenses for children grades 1-8. The 4% of
students who make it to 9th grade are also included in this scholarship
program and are funded for high school. The cost to sponsor a child is
just $50 for grades K-6; $80 grades 7-8, and $300 for a high school
student. The program is coordinated by Cristina Quintanilla, a native
of Las Delicias and a graduate of the Jesuit Universidad
Centroamericana (UCA) in San Salvador, as well as Marie Karam, The
University of Scranton's Director of the Bridges to El Salvador
program. All SEED funds go directly to cover the children's school and
related expenses. Consider purchasing a SEED certificate - it makes
the perfect gift for those who are fortunate enough to not need
anything! Contact Marie Karam, (570) 941-4296, or karamm1@scranton.edu for more information.
- Have you considered participating on an international service trip
to help those less fortunate? Stop in to University Ministries and
find out how you can contribute, hands-on! You'll never forget the
experience, and you'll be forever moved.
