el salvador: walk for life

Monday February 23, 2009 saw the beginning of the Second Walk for Life, an event organized by the Movement of Communities Affected by Floods and supported by Friends of the Earth El Salvador/CESTA.

More than 100 people took part in the march, whose final destination was the city of San Salvador.

“We are walking to demand to the government that our rights be respected”, expressed José Santos Guevara, one of the activity’s organizers.

“The Government’s attitude has always been reactive, appearing only after the occurrence of misfortunes, and what is sadder is that the little help provided is given with propagandistic purposes, as the logo of the Secretaría Nacional de la Familia and the official photograph of the first lady of the Republic handing out donations are never missing." José Santos expressed.

The intense heat of the Salvadorian coast and the 100 kilometers of highway to walk, did not demotivate the participation of women, young people and children, on the contrary, the expressions of happiness and optimism were numerous.  

"Who walks for life?" Asked a woman. The communities of  Bajo Lempa, screamed everyone at once. "Go On!" they cheered from the collective transport buses or from slow moving vehicles.

To complete the walk, a massive march is planned, that hundreds more people will join. The march will end at the Presidential House, where the communities affected by floods will deliver a list of demands to the President of El Salvador.