This month Susana Barrera (left) begins as the new Global School Coordinator, and Celia Medrano (right) as Cristosal's Chief Program Officer! Susana brings 22 years of communications experience, and coordinated regional public health programming to combat HIV, malaria and TB. Celia brings a lifetime of experience in human rights, recently serving as Director of Protection of Human Rights for the Ministry of Foreign Relations in El Salvador, and the General Consul of El Salvador in Washington, D.C. Please join us in welcoming them both!

After years of negotiations, the government of Jiquilísco has agreed to construct a road to El Carmen. The current road is impassible, posing safety threats to women and girls traveling on foot, and limiting access to markets, health care and education. The government will provide equipment and materials, with labor and housing provided by the community. Construction will begin before December, and be completed by the end of this year.

Ministry of Public Works Agrees to Build Road

Cristosal is Leading the Way... Thanks to You!

Cristosal's work would not be possible without the support, enthusiasm and generosity of our international supporters in North America and beyond. Here's just a small sampling from this year (clockwise from left): the El Salvador Committee in the Diocese of Olympia, St. Thomas in Medina, WA, German Ambassador to El Salvador Heinrich Haupt with De La Mano Contigo, and Phoenixville, PA.

Cristosal Welcomes New Program Directors

Thanks to the extraordinary fundraising efforts of our friends at St. Mary's Kerrisdale in Vancouver, B.C., Los Calix celebrated the start of construction of the Cristo Rey Community Center on Nov. 5th! Bishop of El Salvador Martín Barahona placed the first stone,accompanied by community members, the project's engineers, Cristosal staff, Bishop-Elect Davíd Alvarado and other members of the Anglican Episcopal Church of El Salvador church.

Construction Begins in Los Calix

Cristosal Speaks in Rome on Human Trafficking

This year, tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors and families fled extreme violence in El Salvador in the hands of human traffickers. UNICEF reported that women and children in El Salvador face the highest risk of dying a violent death than anywhere else in the world. To address the root causes of this crisis, there is a desperate need in El Salvador to provide victims with emergency assistance in-country and work with state agencies to build capacities for national protection.

Cristosal is the lead organization serving Salvadoran victims forcibly displaced by violence. This year, we created the first national program for attention to Salvadoran refugees and individuals seeking asylum. We convened the first ever national roundtable on forced displacement with 13 national and international partner organizations, and signed a landmark partnership agreement with the Salvadoran Ombudsman for Human Rights, Davíd Morales.

Now, we need your help. With your tax-deductible gift, we will:1. Establish the first national shelter for families fleeing violence2. Create the first regional refugee network in Central America3. Found the first national violence observatory to advocate for Salvadoran victims

To give, please send a check to: Or give online with PayPal at: Foundation Cristosal www.cristosal.org/donate 9641 Carousel Center Drive Syracuse, NY 13290

Thank you for your support and solidarity with the people of El Salvador.

Sincerely,

Cristosal is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Noah Bullock, Executive Director

At the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Executive Director Noah Bullock participated in a global conference in Rome on human trafficking and modern slavery, sponsored by the Anglican Alliance. Speaking about victim protection in El Salvador, Noah said, "where legislators are not responding, the church needs to speak out at a societal level."

This Holiday Season Make A Lasting Difference