Fundraiser to be held for community service projects in El Salvador

The Washington Ethical Society International Partners (WES-IP) will hold a fundraiser for its summer El Salvador service trip on Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at 7750 16th Street, Washington, D.C. 20012. The suggested $20 admission fee (children under 12 enter free of charge), along with whatever other money is raised during the event, will go directly towards this summer's service projects.

The "Fiesta Fundraiser" will feature Salvadoran and Latin American food, live music, a silent auction and speakers. Photographs from previous expeditions will be displayed, and participants will describe their past experiences on the trip.

Trip organizer Peggy Goetz says the fiesta will be very entertaining for partygoers. "I think it's going to be a really fun, fabulous evening. It'll be a great party," Goetz says.

Goetz also emphasizes that the fiesta is a great opportunity for donors to help further a good cause. Goetz says that going to the fiesta often fills attendees with a "feeling of supporting people who are doing good in the world."

Trip participants have previously included Blair students and alumni, several of whom will go again or for the first time this year.

WES-IP service trips seek to rebuild the infrastructure of El Salvador devastated by a 13-year civil war and target the roots of poverty in the country while providing both teens and adults with the opportunity to genuinely connect with and help people in need.

Trip participants will split up into groups and journey to various villages, where they will live with Salvadoran families and work on a community service project. Past projects have included constructing schools, community centers, libraries and medical clinics, providing dental care, working with children and providing teacher training.

Trip participants will also spend time learning about the history, culture and current political climate of the country in the capital, San Salvador, before splitting up. Visits to historically significant locations and guest speakers will highlight the suppression of indigenous traditions, the U.S.'s role in aiding the Salvadoran government, and the revolutionary activism of civilians, guerillas and renowned Archbishop Oscar A. Romero against the government.