Reasons to Organize
Víctor reflects on the reasons that led people to organize.
Arcatao
Recruitment of Minors
Marta remembers her recruitment by the guerrilla at age 14 and describes her work as a medical worker within the organization.
Refuge in Mesa Grande
Amanda decides to flee with her children to the Mesa Grande refugee camp in Honduras after her husband was killed in 1986.
Repression
Isabel remembers the first days of repression in Arcatao during which the military killed his mother.
Repression
Isidora describes the repression that led her and her family to leave their home.
Repression in Arcatao
Alberto remembers when town inhabitants began to leave their homes as truckloads of soldiers arrived to Arcatao.
Resettlement and the 1986 Invasion
Trinidad describes her experience of the 1986 “Desembarco” invasion in Arcatao, the involvement of a particular commander, and the resettlement process.
Return to Arcatao
Damián describes the resettlement process beginning in 1987, during which communal cooperation was an important element.
Returning to Chalatenango
Élida provides an account of the long walks she and others had to take from Arcatao to Chalatenango in order to obtain food supplies, and tells about the first religious procession community members participated in after resettling Arcatao.
Role in the Guerrilla
Maximina explains her sister’s and her role in the guerrilla during the armed conflict.
Rural Organizing
Santiago lists some of the rural political organizations which were present in Chalatenango.
Staying in El Salvador
Gregorio explains that he never chose to take refuge in a camp.