In the summer of 1980 five people responded to an advertisement placed in Sojourner’s magazine, looking for anyone interested in starting a Christian community focused on social justice. This group slowly grew into what would be called the East Side Group, which worked caring for refugees from the civil war in El Salvador. Many of the refugees were detained in south Texas. “We connected with lawyers who were helping them apply for asylum, bailed them out, and drove them to Austin. Working to help them find jobs, housing, and in some cases asylum in Canada, this project went on for many years, but ended in the 90’s.”

After a visit by one of the group members to Guajoyo in 1992, the Austin-Guajoyo Sister City Project began, and In 1995 the East Side Group became the committee for the Austin-Guajoyo Sister City Project. By scraping and painting several houses and landscaping yards they were able to raise a few thousand dollars each year. Now the group fundraises primarily through a food booth at Austin’s annual costume party and hippie gathering known as Eeyore’s Birthday, where they have been selling bruschetta, popsicles, and grilled cheese for more than 15 years.

In early communications with Guajoyo the group learned that they were obtaining deeds to their land, but the government was imposing a large debt that they must pay. Sister Cities assisted us in a lobbying campaign to forgive this debt which was eventually successful. Other threats to the community’s stability and livelihood have sparked advocacy responses from the Austin group. Regular delegations over the years, sometimes small and sometimes with large groups, have helped sustain the relationships that has made this sister city project so impactful and meaningful.

Read Catie’s blog about her time volunteering in Guajoyo here.

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