Norden parishioner meets communities in El Salvador

Monday 16th December 2019

A parishioner from St Vincent’s, Norden, has travelled over 5,000 miles to El Salvador where she met with communities who have been helped by CAFOD.

Briege Sivills, who has volunteered in CAFOD’s Salford office for many years, was invited on the trip by the aid agency and travelled as a pilgrim alongside the Romero Trust in November.

While there, Briege and her fellow pilgrims met with communities who had been helped by CAFOD projects.

Briege said: “The pilgrimage was harrowing and traumatic at times, but I found witnessing the daily grind with the constant backdrop of violence faced by communities truly humbling.

“For me, there was a language barrier but the universal language of smiles and hugs meant we didn’t need words.

“The people we met hadn’t had access to high levels of education, but they were intuitive, articulate, sensitive people who touched us with their words.

“We met mothers and grandmothers who had faced so much trauma and lost so many family members.  Previously, they haven’t been recognised in society.  But with the help of CAFOD’s projects, they felt empowered and now act as strong leaders within their communities.”

For more information about CAFOD’s work around the world, visit their website