Frequently Asked Questions: Delegation Basics
What is CoCoDA?
Companion Community Development Alternatives (CoCoDA) is a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis that has done grassroots development work in El Salvador since 1991. We work with our sister communities and partner organizations in El Salvador to fund and carry out democratic and sustainable development projects. Our past projects include potable water projects, public health campaigns, scholarship programs, building community centers/schools/medical clinics, and setting up computer centers.
What is a delegation?
Delegations are educational (and usually service-based) trips. The goal of these trips is to foster solidarity with the people of El Salvador by raising awareness about their social, historical, political, and economic reality. Delegation trips also familiarize our supporters in the United States with the projects they are assisting in El Salvador. The length, makeup, and specific goals of delegations vary dramatically, but most groups participate in home-stays in our partner communities and contribute to one or more service projects.
In El Salvador, the group will be accompanied by one or more (depending on the size) experienced coordinators who will be interpreting for you, answering any questions you might have, and helping you adjust to El Salvador and process your experience. The group, once in the community, will also be accompanied by a local coordinator from the community.
What kinds of groups participate in delegations?
We have hosted many groups from churches, universities, high schools, and civic organizations.
Here's an invitation sent out by one of our recent delegations: "If you are interested in social justice, Central America, or service work, a CoCoDA delegation is an exciting, fulfilling, and transformative experience. If you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone, share the joys and burdens of living in rural El Salvador, and rethink the way you live in the United States, then this might be the trip for you. This trip is for participants who are willing to listen, learn, work, and serve with all their hearts."
What sorts of service projects have past delegations supported?
Past projects include water systems, Internet cafes, medical brigades, public health workshops, and construction, such as schools, community centers, and recreational areas. CoCoDA also has on-going and long-term capacity building projects, particularly in community water systems, that extends beyond any one delegation's trip.
What else do delegations do?
Our delegations to El Salvador are highly educational and service-oriented. Delegation typically start and end in the nation’s capital, San Salvador, seeing some national and historic sites, learning about the country’s history, and becoming oriented to its sociopolitical situation today. These activities really help to contextualize the rest of the experience and the projects that CoCoDA funds. Typical delegations spend the bulk of the time in a rural community living with host families, getting acquainted with the lifestyle of Salvadoran campesinos (farmers), visiting the successful community-based potable water projects that CoCoDA has coordinated, contributing to a work project (for example, building a community center or Internet cafe), and meeting with different community organizations.
Groups also have free time to shop and explore on their own. We usually include recreational activities in our program, including hikes, soccer games, and film screenings. Groups have the option to spend a day of reflection and relaxation at the beach at the end of their stay in El Salvador.
Where do delegations stay and eat?
Delegations do almost everything as a group. While in the city, we eat our meals at restaurants that we know and trust. While the group is in the community, we eat all meals together. Our food is prepared by members of the community who have been trained to cook food that is safe for participants to eat. Bottled water is provided to participants at all points during the trip.
In the city, we stay at hostels or hotels that specialize in hosting service groups. These hotels are safe, clean, and simple.
Most groups, while in the community, stay with families in their homes. Homestays are a great learning experience and give participants the opportunity to form relationships outside of the group.
Where do delegates eat and stay?
Over the whole trip, delegates do most everything together as a group. All meals in the capital and in Suchitoto will be at restaurants that CoCoDA frequents and trusts. In San Salvador, accommodations are a guest house in the safest part of the city. In the rural communities, delegates nearly always eat meals together in a community center. Cooks in the community are specially trained to prepare food using only bottled water. Bottled water will also be provided to the group at all points during the trip. In Suchitoto, some delegations stay at the Center for Arts for Peace, a non-profit creative education organization located in a former convent. During community home-stays, participants stay in groups of two or three with families and community members in their homes.
How do delegations travel in El Salvador?
CoCoDA uses a trusted, licensed transportation service for all of our transportation needs. We will be traveling around San Salvador and to the community in microbus.
Do participants need to speak Spanish?
No. Some knowledge of Spanish would help in a homestay, but our coordinators double as interpreters. Even if you don't know a word in Spanish, you'll be fine.
How many days is a typical trip? What does it cost to participate?
Delegations usually run from 10 days to three weeks. Costs varies according to activities, length, and accommodations. On average, a 10-day trip costs about $1000 plus the cost of airfare. CoCoDA will work with your group to setup an itinerary that meets your budget needs.
Fees include all costs in-country, international health insurance, and administrative costs. CoCoDA can help your group fundraise to lower costs directly and to generate more support for service projects you work on.
Companion Community Development Alternatives (CoCoDA) is a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis that has done grassroots development work in El Salvador since 1991. We work with our sister communities and partner organizations in El Salvador to fund and carry out democratic and sustainable development projects. Our past projects include potable water projects, public health campaigns, scholarship programs, building community centers/schools/medical clinics, and setting up computer centers.
What is a delegation?
Delegations are educational (and usually service-based) trips. The goal of these trips is to foster solidarity with the people of El Salvador by raising awareness about their social, historical, political, and economic reality. Delegation trips also familiarize our supporters in the United States with the projects they are assisting in El Salvador. The length, makeup, and specific goals of delegations vary dramatically, but most groups participate in home-stays in our partner communities and contribute to one or more service projects.
In El Salvador, the group will be accompanied by one or more (depending on the size) experienced coordinators who will be interpreting for you, answering any questions you might have, and helping you adjust to El Salvador and process your experience. The group, once in the community, will also be accompanied by a local coordinator from the community.
What kinds of groups participate in delegations?
We have hosted many groups from churches, universities, high schools, and civic organizations.
Here's an invitation sent out by one of our recent delegations: "If you are interested in social justice, Central America, or service work, a CoCoDA delegation is an exciting, fulfilling, and transformative experience. If you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone, share the joys and burdens of living in rural El Salvador, and rethink the way you live in the United States, then this might be the trip for you. This trip is for participants who are willing to listen, learn, work, and serve with all their hearts."
What sorts of service projects have past delegations supported?
Past projects include water systems, Internet cafes, medical brigades, public health workshops, and construction, such as schools, community centers, and recreational areas. CoCoDA also has on-going and long-term capacity building projects, particularly in community water systems, that extends beyond any one delegation's trip.
What else do delegations do?
Our delegations to El Salvador are highly educational and service-oriented. Delegation typically start and end in the nation’s capital, San Salvador, seeing some national and historic sites, learning about the country’s history, and becoming oriented to its sociopolitical situation today. These activities really help to contextualize the rest of the experience and the projects that CoCoDA funds. Typical delegations spend the bulk of the time in a rural community living with host families, getting acquainted with the lifestyle of Salvadoran campesinos (farmers), visiting the successful community-based potable water projects that CoCoDA has coordinated, contributing to a work project (for example, building a community center or Internet cafe), and meeting with different community organizations.
Groups also have free time to shop and explore on their own. We usually include recreational activities in our program, including hikes, soccer games, and film screenings. Groups have the option to spend a day of reflection and relaxation at the beach at the end of their stay in El Salvador.
Where do delegations stay and eat?
Delegations do almost everything as a group. While in the city, we eat our meals at restaurants that we know and trust. While the group is in the community, we eat all meals together. Our food is prepared by members of the community who have been trained to cook food that is safe for participants to eat. Bottled water is provided to participants at all points during the trip.
In the city, we stay at hostels or hotels that specialize in hosting service groups. These hotels are safe, clean, and simple.
Most groups, while in the community, stay with families in their homes. Homestays are a great learning experience and give participants the opportunity to form relationships outside of the group.
Where do delegates eat and stay?
Over the whole trip, delegates do most everything together as a group. All meals in the capital and in Suchitoto will be at restaurants that CoCoDA frequents and trusts. In San Salvador, accommodations are a guest house in the safest part of the city. In the rural communities, delegates nearly always eat meals together in a community center. Cooks in the community are specially trained to prepare food using only bottled water. Bottled water will also be provided to the group at all points during the trip. In Suchitoto, some delegations stay at the Center for Arts for Peace, a non-profit creative education organization located in a former convent. During community home-stays, participants stay in groups of two or three with families and community members in their homes.
How do delegations travel in El Salvador?
CoCoDA uses a trusted, licensed transportation service for all of our transportation needs. We will be traveling around San Salvador and to the community in microbus.
Do participants need to speak Spanish?
No. Some knowledge of Spanish would help in a homestay, but our coordinators double as interpreters. Even if you don't know a word in Spanish, you'll be fine.
How many days is a typical trip? What does it cost to participate?
Delegations usually run from 10 days to three weeks. Costs varies according to activities, length, and accommodations. On average, a 10-day trip costs about $1000 plus the cost of airfare. CoCoDA will work with your group to setup an itinerary that meets your budget needs.
Fees include all costs in-country, international health insurance, and administrative costs. CoCoDA can help your group fundraise to lower costs directly and to generate more support for service projects you work on.