tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post3712146884583715292..comments2024-03-28T11:30:20.005-05:00Comments on El Salvador Perspectives: Rufina Amaya Presente!Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02452039674856298357noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-52261144711836939262007-03-10T02:39:00.000-06:002007-03-10T02:39:00.000-06:00As a visitor who has been welcomed into Rufina's h...As a visitor who has been welcomed into Rufina's home several times now, I am so thankful for all of your words about her life and how it has affected so many people - reading this makes it easier to be far away from El Salvador when I would prefer to be making my pilgrimage to Mozote this weekend. <BR/>Each year for the past four years I have travelled to Perkin with a group of students who participate in an art and reconstruction project north of San Salvador, and each year each of the students has been so deeply affected by not only Rufina's words and her story, but her presence and graciousness. She treated each person who came to listen and talk with her as a loved one, making us comfortable in her home, feeding us meals, and answering each and every question, even as we felt we were already gaining so much just from being with her. <BR/>In my life, Rufina and her story are twin guides as I continue to work in San Francisco and El Salvador. When I am flagging or becoming tired, these are among the influences whose power is so great that I can't seem to turn back, even when it's most appealing to do so. I am so thankful for Rufina's work and the fact that she never seemed to tire, never failed to have space for us in her home and her mission.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-91079859626815035152007-03-09T15:47:00.000-06:002007-03-09T15:47:00.000-06:00same anon here...She is not the only known survivo...same anon here...<BR/><BR/>She is not the only known survivor of the massacre, <BR/>there is a william barrerra also, who was a child when it happened, he joined the erp, then in 92 joined with former atlacatl members to make up the PNC, his testimony along with Rufinas is documented in la fiera esta con todas sus garras, by altercine Montreal Canada-Documentary Film.<BR/>I will soon have it digitized and posted on the net soon.<BR/><BR/>I also believe that Rufina's experience is documented in LAs Mil y unas historias de radio venceremos, (Rebel Radio) on Amazon---The chapter about the ciguanaba they "captured" when in fact it was a survivor of El Mozote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-44758779014987254182007-03-09T15:42:00.000-06:002007-03-09T15:42:00.000-06:00I met her in 94, along with rogelio Poncelee, the ...I met her in 94, along with rogelio Poncelee, the Belgian Priest who worked with RV and the ERP.<BR/>this is VERY sad.<BR/>memory and testimony are being swallowed up by world fascism of fear.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-29231594891464756022007-03-08T18:13:00.000-06:002007-03-08T18:13:00.000-06:00Nada en la prensa estadounidense por supuesto. I h...Nada en la prensa estadounidense por supuesto. I have hunted through the search engines of various papers and there's no obit for her.<BR/><BR/>She will live on in the Salvadoran people, sí, presente.<BR/><BR/>I consider myself fortunate to have made it up to El Mozote in 2002. Alas, I didn't see her.Caminantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16610142955176992982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-82757957803702710272007-03-07T18:30:00.000-06:002007-03-07T18:30:00.000-06:00Rufina has not died. Near the day of the woman, sh...Rufina has not died. <BR/><BR/>Near the day of the woman, she flew and showed her example like brave woman,<BR/>a woman with voice…<BR/><BR/>Kindest regards,ixquic*https://www.blogger.com/profile/08351139178570366468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-55991042965820938272007-03-07T17:56:00.000-06:002007-03-07T17:56:00.000-06:00Here is additional information on Rufina Amaya's p...Here is additional information on Rufina Amaya's passing, from emails sent by a North American friend of hers in El Salvador:<BR/><BR/>From: Matthew Eisen kemeemateo@yahoo.com<BR/>Sent: Tuesday, March 6, 2007 3:09:08 PM<BR/>Subject: Rufina Amaya, El Mozote Survivor passed away today<BR/><BR/><BR/>Dear friends,<BR/> <BR/>With tears in my eyes I write to you with the sad news that Rufina Amaya, the lone survivor of the massacre at El Mozote (Dec. 11, 1981 - El Salvador) died today approximately 12:30 p.m., Tuesday March 6th.<BR/> <BR/>She had been unconscience for more than 12 hours and due to complications with her diabities and hypertension, suffered multiple heart attacks and strokes in her final moments. Rufina gave birth to 11 children, only 2 survived, the oldest, Fidelia, and the youngest, Marta. The rest died either in the massacre or during the war.<BR/> <BR/>Rufina continued to live in Morazan, a very humble and simple life. I had the chance to meet her years ago, but only began to get close to her about 4 months ago. She was a walking duality, full of so much sorrow and pain, yet continued to laugh and smile enjoying the simple things in life: family, friendships, good food and mother nature.<BR/> <BR/>I´m sure her funeral will draw hundreds if not thousands in the coming days. I invite you all to send your messages for her family, in spanish or english, to my email and I will print them out and give them to her daughters. I will let you all know arrangments and details of the funeral when available.<BR/> <BR/>Abrazos Solidarios.<BR/>mateo eisen<BR/><BR/>And earlier that morning: <BR/><BR/>Matthew Eisen <BR/>kemeemateo@yahoo.com wrote:<BR/><BR/>Friends,<BR/> <BR/>It is with great sadness that I write to you from San Miguel, El Salvador with the news that Rufina Amaya is in critical condition after suffering respitory problems and later a stroke. Rufina, 64 years of age, is the lone survivor of one of the most tragic massacres of th Americas in modern history. The massacre at El Mozote Dec. 11th, 1981 claimed over 1,000 lives at the hands of the Salvadoran military backed by the U.S. government. Rufina´s survival and escape was miracle, and since then she has suffered 25 years retelling the nightmare of what she witnessed to foriegn delegations, journalists and even in the US Congress.<BR/> <BR/>She is a humble woman of great dignity and stregth for whom I have translated for on numerous occassions. Last October we awarded her with the Herbert Anaya Sanabria Human Rights Prize, recognizing her amazing contribution for recuperating the historic memory of the autocrities committed at El Mozote and for her perserveriance in working for human rights through telling the truth. She has remained in Morazan in her simple dwelling throughout these years, interupiting her daily life whenever a group of visitors want to visit the Memorial site and hear her testimony. I have accompanied her these past 3 months visiting her home and providing her transportation to doctor´s appointments.<BR/> <BR/>Her daughters Marta and Fidelia, along with other family and friends are with her at the hospital. I will return upon sending this email and may enter during visiting hours at 11am.... and will be sure to write you with any changes in her situation as soon as they may occur. Rufina is not breathing on her own, rather is hooked up to a respirator. The doctors hope she will begin breathing on her own to begin new treatments.<BR/> <BR/>Your thougths and prayers are encouraged and appreciated.<BR/> <BR/>Abrazos Solidarios,<BR/>Matthew "mateo" Eisen<BR/>********************************Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-9587734865674058622007-03-07T15:50:00.000-06:002007-03-07T15:50:00.000-06:00For those who never heard Rufina's harrowing narra...For those who never heard Rufina's harrowing narrative about El Mozote, you may find it in message no. 476 of the San Romero message board:<BR/><BR/>http://espanol.groups.yahoo.com/group/sanromero/message/476Carlos X.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16580093848691478319noreply@blogger.com