DGH Announcements
A Dam Threat. It
has come to our attention that an archeologist and a specialist in population relocation
have been studying the beautiful valley of Estancia, one of the regions where DGH/MDS
works. (MDS was DGH's partner organization in El Salvador between 1995 and 2004.) They have said they are trying to determine the effects of creating a dam on the
Torola river. If built, the dam would destroy one of the last remaining indigenous
communities in El Salvador and leave the recently built clinic and CIDIs buried under 300
meters of water.
The motive for the dam would be to sell electricity to the neighboring country of
Honduras. While they would not disclose who financed their visit, they did acknowledge
that they each have worked for the World Bank in the past.
Interestingly enough, following World Bank recommendations, electricity in El Salvador was
privatized this past March (meaning government utilities were sold to private interests).
Reportedly, electricity rates soared to four times their previous cost for private
citizens, while going down for industries, including sweat shops like the maquilladoras.
We will keep you informed of this potential threat as we get more information.
DGH Poetry Contest.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights,
DGH is sponsoring a poetry contest on the theme “Promoting health and human rights
with those who have difficulty making their voices heard.”
All entries must be received by August 16, 1998. Winners will be notified three months
later. The first prize is round-trip airfare and basic living expenses for up to two
months, for the winner’s choice of either: a) Intensive Spanish study in the Centro
del Estudio de Español in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala; or b) Volunteering with MDS in Rural
Morazán, El Salvador. There will also be three 2nd, five 3rd and five 4th place winners.
Entry is open to all persons. Students are specially welcome. Entries must be original and
never been published, submitted for publication or entered in another contest.
In you are interested, see contest guidelines.
General Assembly Dates
Changed. Due to increased attendance, the next General Assembly will be held
August 14 to 16, at Fort Yargo State Park's "Will-A-Way" Group Camp, in the
Metro Atlanta area. There we will have a meeting space and bunks (bring your own bedding)
Friday and Saturday nights, and park kitchen staff will prepare our meals. Check in
anytime after 2:00 p.m. Friday and check out by 10:00 a.m. Sunday. A swimming pool, canoes
and fishing (requires a fishing license) are available for free-time recreation. The cost
is $50 per person for the conference, room, food and recreation equipment. A one-time $2
Park Pass will be required for each vehicle. We will work out some transportation
arrangements to help persons coming in to the Atlanta airport or bus station.
A Word of Thanks.
DGH would like to thank the following organizations, which sponsored Dr. Jennifer
Kasper’s 18-month stay in El Salvador: CHRIA–Committee for Health Rights in the
Americas/The Training Exchange, 474 Valencia Street, No. 120, San Francisco, CA, 94103;
and The San Carlos Foundation, 1065 Creston Road, Berkeley, CA, 94708. Dr. Kasper’s
expertise as a pediatrician was invaluable in the development and implementation of a
pediatric training curriculum for the general health promoters and the midwives.
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