PeaceWorks is a New Jersey nonprofit tax-exempt organization which works to aid the peoples of the Americas and seeks progressive change in our nation. Our continuing mission:
Browse through these pages to read more about our work, participate in a call to action, shop for crafts and T-shirts that support our work, and find links to other interesting sites on the web.
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IMPORTANT
ALERT! See Actions for details and how you can help. See also photo reports from a recent PeaceWorks delegation to Nicaragua.
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| Inspiration | |
| "We've got to get this thing right. What is needed ... | |
| ... is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love. It is precisely this collision of immoral power with powerless morality which constitutes the major crisis of our times." | |
| - Martin Luther King, Jr. | |
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... Our Continuing Mission |
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We forged our mission during times of war and repression. Now an economic war in the guise of economic globalization has wrought even greater misery. We responded to people in great need -- their need has not diminished. We admired their struggle for peace and justice and we supported them in solidarity -- their struggle continues and it increasingly resembles our own at home. We challenged policies which fostered terror and hunger -- we continue to forge citizen initiatives born of compassion, sustained by commitment to democracy and dignity.
"We work shoulder-to-shoulder in the consciousness raising of our people, so that each day new companeros become involved in this task of human dignity that unites men and women from faraway lands, of distinct colors and races, of different histories, but with a common denominator -- to give true meaning to our lives."
Thelma Fernandez Solis, Executive Director of Masaya Sin Fronteras
We formed friendships, nurturing trust that gets our aid to the people in need with full accountability. Our humanitarian aid work has been like a moral wedge, opening hearts in response to people's need, engendering questioning and action. Our aid helps people help themselves, empowering the powerless, challenging the powerful. We've made a difference. We still do.
"PeaceWorks is an expression of the desire to create a new world community based on love (expressed through solidarity) and the right of all human beings to share in and care for the gifts of the earth."
Michael Ring, member of PeaceWorks Board of Directors.
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... in Nicaragua |
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Since 1987, the New Jersey Nicaragua sister city aid network has shipped 35 cargo containers full of life affirming aid to Nicaragua. (See Actions for next shipments)
Received by Masaya Without Frontiers (MASINFA), the materials will go to day care centers, schools, health clinics, women centers, and other groups in Masaya, Managua, San Marcos, Rivas, and other communities.
While we will continue to collect summer clothing, we will strive for the collection of more valuable materials such as school materials, medical supplies and equipment, bicycles, and sports supplies. We will develop special organizing drives to collect some of these specific items.
We view these shipments as
central to our mission -- they directly help people in Nicaragua
by sharing needed materials as well as by providing an infusion
of capital when some of the materials are resold at minimal
prices, much like churches and social service organizations do
here. The shipments also serve as a means to involve a great many
people in our communities -- a point of action, sharing, and
subsequent reflection upon the lives of people in another nation
and of our continuing connection to
them.
Over the past several years we have funded several small scale development projects in Masaya from infant feeding centers to grinding mills. Not only have these projects provided communities with vital assets, they often turn into launching points for additional community organizing towards self-reliance and social improvements. Here are several projects we hope to fund this year. Fulfillment of these plans depend on foundation funding, successful fundraising events, and donations from individuals, groups, and religious organizations.
Molino Project: In 1992 we funded the purchase of a grinding mill for the Masaya barrio of Pacayita. That mill -- cooperatively owned and operated -- now provides this essential service of grinding the ingredients for tortillas, grain-based beverages, and other traditional foods. Revenues from the mill's operation supports educational and health services while providing for the eventual replacement of the mill. Since then we have funded a total of seven molinos! This year we are seeking funding for four more mills. From these mill installations will radiate new projects and improvements in the four communities in which they will be located.
Improved Ovens: Last year we sent $4,700 to start this new "improved ovens" project in Nicaragua, thanks to our cooperation with the Central Jersey/Masaya Friendship Cities Project. With this funding we will help install nearly 100 cooking facilities in rural family homes. Each oven costs about $50. With a more efficient design, the ovens reduce the consumption of wood by 50%; reduce the levels of smoke in the air which causes respiratory ailments and damages eyesight; reduce the work of women in the family; and improve the health and safety of the families and the communities from the reduction of wood smoke levels and from the safer cooking facilities.
For the second year, we will
send $750 quarterly to this amazingly productive and efficient
nongovernmental organization, a group without which we would not
be able to work as effectively in Nicaragua. MASINFA has been hit
hard by reductions in aid for housing and water project
previously provided by their European partner organizations.
While we can't make up the entire difference, our $3,000 during
1998 will help keep this example of grassroots democracy in
action.
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... in El Salvador |
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Since its founding in 1992, this coalition has participated in a material aid caravan to El Salvador, funded the construction and initial operation of a day care center in Los Amates, a repopulated Salvadoran community, and conducted numerous educational forums. Current projects include funding a new development project; supporting the land reform process in El Salvador; sending another delegation to Los Amates; supporting the U.S./ El Salvador National Sister Cities Center; and ongoing educational efforts. For more information about the coalition, visit the Los Amates Home Page
We will continue our support
of the Women's Community Mental Health Project in San Salvador,
El Salvador. The project seeks to empower women by improving
their quality of life as individuals, family leaders, and
community members.
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... in Guatemala |
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GUAPA is a Guatemalan Accompaniment Project composed of a coalition of groups in New York and New Jersey (including PeaceWorks) who seek to provide a measure of security against human rights violations and to build long term committed relationships of mutual support between a returned refugee community in Guatemala and U.S. communities.
The GUAPA coalition is currently seeking volenteers to spend an extended period of time (many montsh up to a full year) as accompaniment in Aurora, 8 de octubre (also known as Xaman)--a small community in northern Guatemala (Alta Verapaz). The villagers feel that the presence of these "internationalists" provide a "space" or some measure of protection for this community as it struggles to build a more secure and peaceful future.
PeaceWorks provides
administrative support to the coalition and help with educational
and cultural activities. For more information on GUAPA, contact PeaceWorks
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... in New Jersey |
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News of Latin America reaches the U.S. public sporadically at best, and with little if any historical context. Most analysis offered is shallow and biased. PeaceWorks offers news direct from the region and analysis from various sources. We do so through mailings to supporters and at educational activities, both of which provide updates on our projects; share the ideas and hopes of the people we work with in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala; and offer analysis of our movement and the currents of change sweeping the region and the world. We will hold our forums on the second Saturday of each month -- the forums also feature tasty and bounteous meals, and the sale of Central American crafts and coffee.
To get on our mailing list, sign in our guest book
A continuing focus for this year will be examination of what is being called the new world economic order or economic globalization -- the dismantling of trade barriers (or at least those which interfere with economic interests in the industrial North), the increased concentration of economic power in the hands of transnational corporations, and the diminished ability of smaller nations to chart their economic future.
PeaceWorks and the groups with which we work will be organizing several delegations to Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Look for the details in our calendar of events.
We do not work in a vacuum --
networking with other solidarity and progressive groups is essential to the lasting effect of
our efforts. During this year, we'll reach out to other groups,
seeking to build action coalitions; strengthen our internal
operations through more sustained funding and increased outreach
to new constituencies; link up with groups which primarily
address domestic issues; and increasingly ride on the information
highway in an effort to reach out, network, and promote our work.
Without strengthening the bonds between our diverse communities
of sharing and concern, we will never achieve fundamental change.
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| ... Other WWW/Internet Sites | |
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The following are Web sites that you may find interesting. Some of them deal with the same region or issues as we do. Some are by other organizations that we think share our larger vision and goals. Some we just think are kinda neat. Enjoy your journey, and tell them who sent you!
IGC (including PeaceNet) - The Mothership. This is the organization hosting the PeaceWorks page. Their Web site also has the most comprehensive directory of progressive internet sites. If you want to surf and don't see your destination below, start here.