Fishing on the Lempa River
Evangelina remembers her childhood days of fishing on the Lempa River.
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.
Evangelina remembers her childhood days of fishing on the Lempa River.
Víctor reflects on the reasons that led people to organize.
Adán remembers the financial hardship experienced by his family when he was a child and which kept him from attending school.
Explore all videos in Chapter 1: Pre-war & The Origins of the War
Toribio describes an invasion and aerial bombing campaign that happened between 1980 and 1981.
Lucía remembers early experiences as a girl attending political meetings with her parents, and the killing of her mother and others; and reflects on exhumation process.
Esperanza describes the repression that led many in Arcatao to leave their homes.
Explore all videos in Chapter 2: Rural Organizing & Repression
Toribio remembers how he and his family survived the 1982 “May Guinda”.
Juana relates her difficult experience during the May Guinda, attempting to cross the Sumpul River with her four children.
Carlota remembers fleeing with her newborn during the “May Guinda” in 1982.
Explore all videos in Chapter 3: The Years of "Guindas"
Virginia describes life at the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras, and her challenging trip back to Arcatao.
Evangelina describes living conditions in the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras.
Dionisia describes how her husband never made it to the refugee camp Mesa Grande in Honduras, as he was captured and assassinated.
Explore all videos in Chapter 4: Refugee Experiences
Santiago describes his experience of multiple military operations, the “May Guinda,” and the disappearance of children.
Rufino explains that he lost his hand during a training exercise with the guerrilla, but continued to serve as a combatant and bodyguard.
Edwin gives detailed testimony of his arrest and interrogation in Honduras.
Explore all videos in Chapter 5: Guerrilla Experiences
Lidia remembers the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion of Arcatao and tells how she was threatened during the weeks prior to the invasion.
Faustina narrates her experience during the 1986 invasion, during which people were intimidated, tortured, and killed by the military.
Emeteria describes the process of resettlement in Guarjila, Chalatenango, and the dangers returnees faced due to landmines.
Explore all videos in Chapter 6: Resettlement & the "Desembarco"
Trinidad explains why historical memory is so important to avoiding the repetition of history.
Celestino remembers the process that led to the Peace Accords and why it was difficult for the guerrillas to agree to give up their arms.
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
Rosa reflects on the importance of historical memory.
Edwin speaks of various means of achieving justice for survivors of the armed conflict.
Eduardo calls out to all countries in the world with a message against war.
Explore all videos in Chapter 8: The Struggle for Justice