DELEGATIONS
OSP Partner Organizations in the United States routinely send delegations to Berlín to increase their understanding of the realities of life in rural El Salvador and to maintain close friendships with their Salvadoran brothers and sisters.
DELEGATIONS.
The OSP Partner Organizations in the United States routinely send delegations to reunite with our brothers and sisters in El Salvador and to learn, firsthand, about the realities of life in the cantons (villages). These delegations fly to San Salvador where they are met by the OSP Mission Co-Worker, who acts as host and guide during the entire trip. Delegations first visit key historical sites in San Salvador and other parts of the country. These visits help them understand the history of the people in the cantons and why living conditions are what they are. The bulk of the delegation's time is spent in the Berlín area, a 2 hour drive east of San Salvador. Delegations eat and sleep at the Pastoral House in the town of Berlín and make day trips out to the rural cantons in the Berlín area. They meet with the Directiva (community leadership) and visit homes, schools, and community projects. In the evenings they meet with the Pastoral Team, reflect on their day, check out the town of Berlin, and have some downtime.
Delegations Manual
See the Our Sister Parish: El Salvador Delegation Manual for background facts on El Salvador and the OSP mission, information on the Salvadoran culture, and tips to help you pack and prepare for a delegation trip.
Delegations and COVID-19
OSP halted delegation visits in March 2020 when El Salvador closed it's borders. El Salvador re-opened its borders on September 19, 2020. But because of the continued high incidence of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 testing requirements for entry in both El Salvador and the United States, the OSP board did not feel it was prudent to resume visits at that time. As of early June, 2022, neither El Salvador nor the United States requires COVID-19 testing for entry. OSP resumed delegation visits on June 27, 2022.
Read more about COVID-19 in El Salvador and updates on travel information at the website of the U.S. Department of State:
https://sv.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
OSP's Travel Protocol
Please read the OSP Travel Protocol document concerning COVID-19.
Delegation Schedule
Reserved Dates in 2023:
01/23-01/30 Southwest Partnership Delegation
04/02-04/10 Pastoral Team Unavailable
06/19-06/28 Heartland Presbyterian Delegation
07/06-07/18 Interrim Co-Worker Unavailable
08/06-08/19 Books for a Better World
10/07-10/22 Interrim Co-Worker Unavailable
10/31-11/02 Pastoral Team Unavailable
12/03-12/31 Pastoral Team Unavailable
Reserved Dates in 2024:
March 9-23 Trinity United Presbyterian Delegation
July 15-31 Central Presbyterian Delegation
Delegation Request
Kathy Bassett coordinates delegation date requests with the Mission Co-Worker and the Pastoral Team. Please fill out the following form to request delegation dates. Please be specific about the requested dates and fill out a separate request form for each delegation trip. Normally, at least 4 days should be allowed between the departure of one delegation and the arrival of another. Thank you!