Salvadorans abroad working to help their hometowns.
The Houston Chronicle runs an article today regarding groups of Salvadorans in the US who are banding together to support business development projects back in their hometowns. The hope is that by encouraging projects with job creation there will be less need for young people to emigrate to find work. The story also describes the efforts of the government in El Salvador to increase tourism as a means of economic growth. Most of the $644 million in tourism spending in the country last year came from tourists from other Central American countries and Salvadorans living abroad returning home.
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This is what one small community is doing...http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfb7z89t_0dx66qvdd
WAY OFF THE BEATEN PATH!
CINQUERA NATURE AND HISTORIC PRESERVE
RECONSTRUCTION....
The
"renacimiento"... "rebirth" of an entire community since 1993....
Cinquera is a small village with less than 800 inhabitants at present, located some 11 miles/18 km. north of the restored colonial city of Suchitoto, Cinquera is nestled in a small verdant valley and now the villagers, with the help of native and international non governmental organizations are now offering an impressive and diverse guided tour, conducted by trained uniformed native eco guides, on duty 7 days a week, through the biodiverse Rain Forest and Wildlife Refuge, offering to the visitor an incredible array of ecosystems within the tropical mountainous forest with altitudes ranging between 250 meters to 750 meters above sea level..
*5,000 meters (5km.) of Mountain Trails
*Eight way stations enroute noting both historical and environmental sites of interest.
*Forest Rangers and uniformed Guides to escort the visitor in safety.
*Camping Area
*Overlooks offering breathtaking views
As well as eco tourism Cinquera boasts historical and cultural sites, the village was destroyed during the worst years of the civil conflict in El Salvador in the early 1980s and those residents who survived either hid out in the nearby caves (which are viewed on tour) of fled the country. After the peace accords of 1992 former residents began trickling back to Cinquera and in effect this small town was "reborn". Aside from the Rain Forest tour, there exist in Cinquera historical and cultural sites such as the Church, a building which stood alone and empty of worshipers throughout the conflict.
Now Cinquera awaits to enchant you....
'Discover The Undiscovered El Salvador' has a strategic alliance with
ARDM
"Association For The Reconstruction and Municipal Development of Cinquera"
Barrio El Centro (Facing the Municipal Park)
Telefax +(503)2389-5732
Cinquera, Cabañas, El Salvador, C.A.
Non Profit Organization funded partially by International NGOs
E mail ardmcqr at yahoo.es (Spanish)
*** For advance reservation, transportation and other tours or day trips in the rural areas of El Salvador E mail Project Co ordinator in San Salvador, El Salvador English/Spanish, Marco,
FOR COMPLETE DETAILS REGARDING CINQUERA AND OTHER RURAL ECO, CULTURAL AND HISTORIC TOURISM PROJECTS IN EL SALVADOR, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNTIES, LOW COST, NO PLACEMENT FEES, E MAIL:
elsalvadorinfo at gmail.com
marco at telemovil.com
E mail inquires in English or Spanish answered with one (1) working day if possible. Inquires in English, German, French, Italian, etc. shall be answered in English by a native English speaking volunteer.
Skype: VISITCENTRALAMERICA
Again...Además:
"COME TO VISIT US IN EL SALVADOR AND COME BE WITH FRIENDS, YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH EL SALVADOR FROM THE FIRST SMILE..."
So smile back..and enjoy your visit!