Peacebuilding en Las Américas
Co-Madres Families of Disappeared Yearn for More Workshops
by Monica Maher, PLA Initiative Coordinator
Salomón Medina, National Coordinator, co-facilitated an AVP Advanced Workshop with Co-Madres in San Rafael Cedros, Cuscatlán on September 13-14 . Five women and two men participated, family survivors of those disappeared or killed during the war. Photos and testimonies available here.
Participants commented:
* I learned to respect myself and I yearn for more of these workshops; I have felt really good and happy whenever you come, and I want to keep learning.
* I learned a way to show my family that I love them; it has helped to release stress and other things.
* I learned the meaning of four kinds of forgiveness. I could remember my past sadness and have been able to resolve it.
* I have learned that it is nicer, more conscious, more interesting to treat the family and to those who surround me well, and in this way, to respond to intra-family violence. This has brought more unity, trust, friendship and communication between us.
* I have learned how to forgive, which unites me to my brothers, because we had been distant for a long time due to a conflict.
* I learned how to understand others in order to be able to know how to forgive those who cause harm, and to be forgiven.