Reasons for Organizing
Margarita shares her views on the inequality, poverty, and exclusion that led rural Salvadorans to organize.
Addressing human rights in the wake of human tragedy
The Unfinished Sentences Testimony Archive is composed of oral histories shared by 48 people who were residents of the community of Arcatao, in the department of Chalatenango, El Salvador, during the period of the Salvadoran civil war. More than 170 interview excerpts tell the story of the civil war from the perspective of people who experienced it first-hand. The testimonies are organized into thematic “Chapters” that focus on different aspects of the conflict in roughly chronological order.
Due to the nature of the experiences discussed in the testimonies, users may find the contents of the archive disturbing: topics include rape, torture, death, and severe hardship. On the other hand, the archive also features narratives of resilience, survival, and mutual assistance in triumphing over adversity.
Margarita shares her views on the inequality, poverty, and exclusion that led rural Salvadorans to organize.
Clara recalls the Soccer War between El Salvador and Honduras, and staying behind with her children while her husband slept somewhere in the mountains.
Edith describes her childhood and how household labor was divided among family members.
Explore all videos in Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
Pedro describes how members of ORDEN killed his uncle and another woman.
Pedro describes growing up fatherless after soldiers killed his father.
Carlota remembers the challenging economic conditions that inhabitants of Arcatao experienced during the war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Hermelinda remembers losing her children and three other close relatives during the “May Guinda.”
Hermelinda remembers losing her children during the “May Guinda,” and says she always wondered whether the military had taken them away.
Berta describes her experience during the “May Guinda” and a massacre of civilians during the crossing of the Sumpul River.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Isabel describes the difficulties of life in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Gregorio explains that he never chose to take refuge in a camp.
Berta explains her decision not to go to Honduras as a refugee, and the difficulties of living alone in El Salvador during wartime.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Santiago describes his experience of multiple military operations, the “May Guinda,” and the disappearance of children.
Maximina remembers guerrilla commander Jesús Rojas and the help he provided to Arcatao.
Walter remembers being a guerrilla during the 1982 “May Guinda” and surviving alongside his comrades.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Clara describes her experience of the 1986 invasion in Arcatao, during which town residents were locked inside the church.
Faustina narrates her experience during the 1986 invasion, during which people were intimidated, tortured, and killed by the military.
Adán relates the 1986 invasion of Arcatao and describes combat between the guerrilla and military.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Herlindo reflects that El Salvador has made progress following the war.
Reflecting on the Peace Accords, Evangelina sees connections between the violence of yesterday and today.
Walter explains that combat between government forces and the guerrillas intensified during the negotiation of the Peace Accords.
Explore all videos in Chapter 7: Peace Accords & Post-War
Isabel reflects on the importance of exhuming the remains of civil war victims.
Edwin speaks of various means of achieving justice for survivors of the armed conflict.
Berta relates how her youngest son died and describes her wish for his prompt exhumation.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice