The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Draft

This profile is in draft form; photographs are forthcoming.

Rev. Marta Benavides

The Reverend Marta Benavides is an activist working in community in her homeland of El Salvador. Her strategy is to work locally, to work on national public policy, and to work internationally simultaneously. She brings proposals with her to every meeting she attends.

Nahuizalco

Nahuizalco is a town in the west of El Salvador, home to the last members of the indigenous population that was massacred near there earlier this century. Marta, a native of El Salvador, moved to Nahuizalco over a decade ago and began talking to people about ecological ways to care for the land. She chose this place because of its need; Nahuizalco was not part of the networks and projects attempting to assist people in rebuilding communities and dealing with environmental disasters after the civil war. She arrived and sat in the park and the market talking to people, and slowly establishing herself as someone with experience caring for land. Her efforts are very low budget, showing others the possibilities even without funds, and she receives donations through a Circle of Love project. Not competing with other projects for limited foundation and other funds was a conscious strategy. The El Salvador Friendship Friendship Fund is one vehicle for donations towards this work; the Reclaiming community in the United States is working in solidarity with Marta's efforts in El Salvador. This webpage offers numerous updates on the work as well as additional information on the fund.

The Ecological House

Family and friends purchased a house that Marta rents and renovates; it has become The Ecological House. Here she showcases low-income possibilities for improvements and sustainable practices. The house offers a recycling display on the wall outside the house, the example of the recycled materials used to improve the property, a water purification system using sunlight and recycled bottles, a medicinal herb garden, and low-maintenance and beautiful gardens which offer sanctuary to butterflies and humans alike. For Marta, caring for the earth is part of spirituality. Understanding the energies of the earth and human's part in the larger universal picture can be a source of strength and gratitude. Her model is one of sustainability; frugality and using only the basics, combined with vision and imagination, offers realistic possibilities to a community in dire need. The medicinal garden offers herbs for many health needs, and in addition training is offered in the care of such gardens so people may grow their own.

Sewing Cooperative

Another part of the Ecological House serves a sewing cooperative. The sewing machines were purchased inexpensively, because in bargaining they convinced the seller that the program would increase demand. There is now a small advanced group of sewers receiving training in making pants and blouses. This group will then teach larger groups of beginners in this skill for self-sufficiency or income.

Indigenous Grandmothers

Every Sunday, the Ecological House hosts all the area indigenous grandmothers for lunch. Women come from miles around, attend church, and then gather at the house. Beyond the food, there is respect and community to be found. This work is part of Marta's larger efforts to bring the needs of the growing elderly population to the political foreground. She networks with other activists around the country and travels to San Salvador to work on national policy issues regarding the elderly.

International Efforts

Marta is a co-founder of the International Institute for Cooperation Amongst Peoples-IICP-El Salvador and she travels and speaks internationally at numerous conferences. For example, the World Conference on Religion and Peace invited her to speak at the forum entitled "Religion, Women and Conflict: Challenges and Opportunities." She was one of a diverse group of five women religious activists to share her experience; other speakers came from Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. Her remarks are available online . Her comments at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, were entitled "Sustainability from the Bottom Up."

Interfaith Work

Marta will be participating in interfaith discussions in the near future, particularly with Baha'i women. While El Salvador is predominantly Roman Catholic, and much of the remaining indigenous population are Roman Catholic, the need to understand and address religious difference is a global concern.