An article written in Eastern University's Spirit Magazine outlines the ever-strengthening connections being made between Eastern, Central Baptist Church in Wayne, PA, and the work towards healing the political turmoil and violence that has plagued El Salvador. The article begins with the introduction of Ron Morgan, an Eastern English professor in the late 70's struck by the story of one of his students, a young Salvadoran woman named Margarita. In a writing assignment, she detailed the impersonal and brutal death of her brother, in which she had to "walk by her brother's body without showing any recognition of him, or she would be killed as well."

Since then, Central Baptist Church has opened itself up as a refuge for Salvadorans, while Ron and Betsy Morgan simultaneously opened their home. Through these connections the Morgans met Ruth and Alex Orantes, who, with the help of The Simple Way, created the Cielo Azul Fund, which supports Ruth's church in Santa Ana and Alex's work in impoverished areas.

The article goes on to explain Ron's involvement in The SHARE Foundation, an organization which promotes relationships between North Americans and Salvadorians, along with establishing micro-enterprises and improving security in villages. It also explains Betsy's efforts to publish the stories and plights of Salvadorans through books such as Going Home: Building Peace in El Salvador, El Salvador: Portraits in a Revolution, and hardcover book Mothers in Arms, which illustrates the lives of Salvadorian female soldiers and how they are coping in their communities.

The connections between Eastern University students, staff & alum and the Salvadoran solidarity movement continue with the film Return to El Salvador, narrated by Martin Sheen. Director Jamie Moffett and Writer/Associate Producer Julia Shields both graduated from Eastern University.

Return to El Salvador on Facebook!