In January 2020, I was given the wonderful opportunity to go on a CRISPAZ delegation in El Salvador with a team of fellow students from Fordham University through our Global Outreach Program. CRISPAZ, or Christians for Peace in El Salvador, is a faith-based, non-partisan, organization that builds bridges of solidarity with the people of El Salvador and communities around the world. My team and I went to El Salvador to facilitate this relationship and learn as much as we could. There was a particular emphasis on the Salvadoran Civil War. This WAS NOT a mission trip, I cannot stress that enough. We didn't go to build houses or take pictures. Instead, we listened to countless people tell their horrifying and gruesome stories about the war. We met with organizations that are trying to rebuild the country like CONFAMIDE, Programa Velasco.

But the organization that had the most profound impact on my experience in El Salvador was CRISPAZ. They were a wonderful organization that hosted our delegation from Fordham. Our delegate, Rafa, was so knowledgable and was full of information about the history of El Salvador and its current culture now. He became part of our team, translating for us, eating meals with us, and reflecting with us. He met our crazy New York energy with love and patience. CRISPAZ's plan for our delegation couldn't have been more perfect. We visited various historical sites, like the National Cathedral, where Oscar Romero is buried. Our homestay in Chalatenango was a blessing and I learned so much. Every single person I met through CRISPAZ was loving and so kind. I am eternally grateful.

From my experience in El Salvador, people want to do better. They want a better life and have an intense fervor to achieve goals of economic stability and prosperity and ensure a better quality of life in El Salvador. So many people have shared compelling stories and they have all asked one thing of me: to go forth and share their stories with my platforms.

This organization has had such a profound impact on my life. Delegations from other schools, just like Fordham, is what help keep the organization running and Salvadoran history alive throughout the world. Due to the current world situation, this is not a reality and CRISPAZ needs our solidarity.

It's my honor to present Hope For Paz, a network of solidarity with universities all across America, including Fordham. We are banding together to raise funds that will go directly to CRISPAZ. We are sharing in-depth testimonials so that the whole world will understand the importance of CRISPAZ'S work and that is MUST continue. CRISPAZ's work is essential to becoming a global citizen, caring about non-violence, human rights, and the right for everyone to live. CRISPAZ has given me so much and I believe the bridges of solidarity they are building are extremely important and they must continue. Please, stand in solidarity with Hope for Paz and CRISPAZ. Have courage because your heart will be broken. Have courage that it will mend again. And have the courage to be ruined for life — because I sure as hell am.

Every little bit helps. Please donate to CRISPAZ.