(Please Distribute Widely)
Eight people wanted for Gaia Project delegation to El Salvador, Nov 17th - 25th
The Gaia Project, in conjunction with the Salvadorian Center for Appropriate Technology (CESTA), is very pleased to invite you on a unique journey to El Salvador. Nine years ago, the Sierra Club of BC formed a partnership with CESTA - a community-based grass roots organization committed to finding solutions to the environmental and social problems created by El Salvador’s twelve-year civil war. Last year an earthquake struck El Salvador adding more destruction to communities in this country. To assist CESTA in handling the growing number of visitors interested in their projects, and to share these projects with a larger audience, we are working together to develop a long-term eco-tourism program.
We are currently forming a delegation of interested people to join us on our first pilot eco-tour, which will run from November 17th to 25th, 2002. This eight-day exploration will take us to visit CESTA’s innovative projects throughout the country. We are looking for eight people with a strong interest in community development and environmental sustainability issues, as well as an adventurous spirit, to help us in the fine-tuning of these tours. This will be an excellent opportunity to network with CESTA staff and learn about their pioneering work in alternative technologies, as part of an intimate group.
Our long-term vision is to establish regular programs in El Salvador, in order to promote
two-way education and offer environmentally sensitive, alternative employment opportunities for Salvadorian communities. Using eco-tourism: "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people", we wish to assist Salvadorians in reversing the impacts of environmental degradation, poverty and war. By educating Canadians about how our lifestyles impact peoples’ lives in El Salvador, our programs will facilitate an ongoing exchange of knowledge, technologies and understanding between North and South.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Sunday, November 17th
All participants will meet at the Casa Gaia in San Salvador, by 8:00pm (Airport pickups will be arranged in advance for all people arriving into El Salvador). A group welcome and orientation will be held this evening, along with a light dinner.
Days 2-7
We will spend the next week traveling by private vehicles to CESTA’s various project sites and surrounding communities. Locations we will visit include:
* The Monsignor Romero Memorial Forest of Reconciliation where 75,000 trees have been planted to commemorate each individual who died in the civil war. We will also visit points of cultural interest, as this area was very active during the war.
* The Ecocentro Cojutepeque a demonstration site used to bring the principles of permaculture to farmers from around the country; we will see composting toilets, adobe buildings and organic gardens. This is also an excellent location for wildlife viewing.
* The Ecobici Workshop where CESTA staff work with local people building wheelchairs and turning bicycles into corn grinders and generators for pumping water.
* The Marine Ecocentro located in beautiful Jiquilisco Bay, a project dedicated to educating Salvadorians about endangered sea turtles, and complex mangrove forest ecosystems
* Other activities will be arranged depending on the interests of the group. These may include a trip to La Libertad to try surfing, visiting museums in San Salvador or hiking one of El Salvador’s many volcanoes.
Day 8 Monday, November 25th
Travel home
COST
As a pilot project, we are aiming to keep costs as low as possible. The tentative maximum trip cost is $700.00 CAD.This cost does not include airfare to and from El Salvador. This cost includes all transportation within El Salvador, airport transfers, accommodation, three meals per day, all program activities, guides, and translators. Airfare*, travel insurance, visas+ and personal expenses are not included in the trip cost.
* The average cost for return airfare from Vancouver to San Salvador is $900.00. It is also possible to fly in or out of Guatemala City or San Jose, Costa Rica, for approximately the same cost. For detailed flight information, please contact Mackenzie Travel Service (250) 847-2979, or your local travel agent. Continental Airlines offers the best connections from Vancouver to El Salvador. They can be contacted directly at (800) 525-0280 or visit their web site: www.continental.com.
+ A ninety-day travel card is issued upon arrival in El Salvador, for US$10.00. An exit tax of US$28.00 is payable when departing from the San Salvador airport. HOW TO REGISTER
A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 CAD is due by September 20th. We accept payment by cheque (please make payable to Sierra Club BC Gaia Project) or credit card. As we are limiting our group size to eight people, we encourage you to reserve a spot as soon as possible. The balance of payment is due by October 10th, 2001. Upon receipt of your deposit we will send you a complete information package with travel and medical details, as well as general information about El Salvador.
To register for the program, or for more information, please contact Kim
Sierra Club of BC Gaia Project
Tel: 250-384-1534
Fax: 250-384-4214
email: [log in to unmask] http://www.gaiaproject.bc.ca.
Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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