El Salvador service project meeting to be held

The Washington Ethical Society (WES) will be holding an informational meeting Jan. 8 at its DC headquarters concerning its annual service trip to El Salvador, according to trip leader Peggy Goetz. The meeting will begin at 12:45 p.m. and conclude at 2 p.m.

Every year, WES and International Partners work together to organize a trip that allows teens turning 16 by July 1 or older and adults to participate in service projects centered in rural villages of El Salvador. For this year's trip, the team will depart from the U.S. on July 13 for San Salvador – El Salvador's capitol – and will return July 30.

At the beginning of the trip, the group will spend time in San Salvador where they will learn about important historical figures, such as Oscar A. Romero, an activist who fought for the rights of Salvadorans during the country's civil war. The service projects usually consist of the construction of a public or educational building in a small community. Participants also have the option of working with Dr. Susan Runner, a dentist who performs free oral care for the citizens of rural communities.

During the trip, both the teens and adults are immersed in the culture of El Salvador and live with families in each community, learning about the lives of their hosts and practicing their Spanish language skills, according to Goetz. Fluency or literacy in Spanish is not required to participate in the program.

Those attending the meeting will be able to learn about past projects and project ideas for this year's trip. Applications are due Jan. 15, and the process for completing the applications will be discussed at the meeting. Other highlights of the meeting will include information about the training program, cost, deadlines and other details. Following a presentation given by Goetz and International Partners leaders Paula Beckman and Don Mantagna, attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the trip or application.

For more information on the meeting and the trip, contact Goetz at WES via her e-mail (peggyg@ethicalsociety.org) or call her at 202-882-6650, extension number 14.

WES is located at 7750 16th Street, NW Washington.