Yek Ineme builds peace in war-scarred El Salvador

Mennonite Central Committee
Friday, 9 March 2001

SAN SALVADOR -- Before devastating earthquakes thrust their country into the international spotlight, Salvadorans were continuing a quieter struggle. They are rebuilding a society scarred by mistrust and violence, the legacy of 12 years of civil war. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) addressed this legacy by creating Yek Ineme, now an independent, Salvadoran-run organization exploring ways to build peace and promote communication.

"In the area where I live, during the war (1980-92) the army had a whole system of 'orejas' -- literally, 'ears' -- who would spy and report people for guerilla activity," said Tanya Chute, MCC volunteer in La Ceiba, Chalatenango. "There were people in the same family on opposite sides. How do you know who to trust?"

Chute is part of Yek Ineme's regional network. Through interactive workshops that include games and group discussion, Yek Ineme creates a place for participants to express themselves as they learn how to approach conflict and mistrust in their own communities.

One successful result of Yek Ineme's work is in Petapa, a community in northern Chalatenango.

"What's been exciting for me is the initiative of three men who participated in the workshops and have continued to meet. They've gained the recognition of their community," Chute said.

Neighbors now come to this group for mediation in interpersonal disputes. The Yek Ineme alumni also helped the community work together to fix a problem with water runoff.

Based in the capital city of San Salvador, Yek Ineme began in 1997, five years after the peace accords that formally ended the fighting in El Salvador. Harold Shank and Nelly Morena, the MCC country representatives at the time, believed that national staff and direction would give Yek Ineme more continuity than would be possible with three-year MCC volunteers.

Yek Ineme staff did initial research in three regions where MCC had deep-rooted relationships based on years of work there. They wanted to understand how Salvadorans approached conflict and what tools they needed to strengthen their communities.

What they found, education coordinator Cecelia Duran explained, was that "many of the relationships of the people were broken. They had a fear of relating and of saying what they were feeling."

Chute affirmed those findings: "I know a woman whose daughter was involved with the guerilla forces and was assassinated by them because of false rumors that she was collaborating with the enemy. In that context, when rumors can be that damaging, people learn to keep things to themselves."

Yek Ineme workshops provide a rare chance for Salvadorans to talk in an atmosphere of trust. The workshops and materials are based on current realities. For example, the first workbook in "Constructing a culture of peace" series discusses the needs of a community that includes ex-combatants, widows and former refugees from the war.

In 1998, Yek Ineme became a legally independent organization. The current staff of 11 is exploring a broad range of approaches to the deep divisions in Salvadoran society.

Yek Ineme, which means "well-being" in the indigenous Nahuatl language, is still working to define its focus, Chute said. A recent move has been toward practical workshops on active listening and decision making skills.

Besides their community-based work, Yek Ineme also trains professionals at institutions such as schools, and they are discussing working with the police.

"The idea is that in these institutions there be a "nucleus of reconciliation" to work with conflicts," Duran said.

Yek Ineme will also respond to El Salvador's most recent crises, the Jan. 13 and Feb. 13 earthquakes. As emergency and long-term reconstruction aid pour into the country from international agencies, communities must work together to avoid corruption and distribute resources fairly.

"Yek Ineme is very aware of potential conflicts surrounding the distribution of aid and is hoping to speak to that situation through their regular programming," Chute said.

Yek Ineme's San Salvador building was not damaged in the earthquake, but two staff members' homes were damaged. With MCC assistance, Yek Ineme is providing temporary shelters in one staff member's community.

As Yek Ineme explores new areas of peace-building, staff members see the longing in Salvadoran society for alternatives to fear and violence.

"The demand is definitely greater than the capacity," Duran said.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org