tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post6392523112111314..comments2024-03-28T11:30:20.005-05:00Comments on El Salvador Perspectives: Remittances from US still growingTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02452039674856298357noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-31759886890027153032007-08-18T05:47:00.000-05:002007-08-18T05:47:00.000-05:00There's a recent book (in Spanish) by Equipo Maíz ...There's a recent book (in Spanish) by Equipo Maíz called <I>El Salvador: emigración y remesas - alivio de los pobres, negocio de los ricos</I>, published in 2006. I picked it up recently while in the country with my husband (speaking of which, if Tim or others are interested, I am trying to write up the trip on my blog and have included pictures). <BR/><BR/>Back to the book: It discusses the origins and downsides of the remittance economy, including the different ways that banks and other commercial interests benefit from remittances and the trade agreements at the expense of those in poverty. It's a well-written analysis, with cartoon-style illustrations, plenty of white space, and deliberate use of language that doesn't require a high reading level. The cooperative that wrote the book specializes in this sort of writing, intended for ordinary people to be able to grasp issues and get involved.<BR/><BR/>My one complaint -- and I sent them an e-mail about this just last night -- is that the book doesn't offer any ideas or even questions to get people started on changing the situation. I don't mean that they either should be Pollyannas and pretend it's just a question of deciding to give up remittances or vote in the next election, or that they should spoon-feed people "the" answers ... that's not in the spirit of transformative education that they're trying to honor. But the book as is, doesn't offer much hope, and I have to believe there's something people can do.ProudTexasWomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04765808679173032889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-83773645486996949712007-08-14T19:06:00.000-05:002007-08-14T19:06:00.000-05:00People use the remittance money to purchase basic ...People use the remittance money to purchase basic necessities: food, medicine, pay for their kids school, but also may use them to build a new house or add an addition on to an existing one. Maybe they open a small business out of their home or some other location. Some times communities organize and pool the money for a development project. Some people purchase consumer goods: electronics, appliances, etc. Remember also that maybe 10-15% of each remittance sent goes to Western Union or another wire transfer business or a bank. Lots of money for these folks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-82835045830261254352007-08-14T10:05:00.000-05:002007-08-14T10:05:00.000-05:00all the facts are no secret and they shouldn't sur...all the facts are no secret and they shouldn't surprise anyone. what i'm really wondering, however, is where all this money finally ends up, that's a large sum of money, do you know if at least some of those remittances are being saved?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-81384957345280651882007-08-14T07:07:00.000-05:002007-08-14T07:07:00.000-05:00Considering the employment or rather lack of emplo...Considering the employment or rather lack of employment situation in El Salvador, how else are the people to survive?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-44810033805104229542007-08-14T04:31:00.000-05:002007-08-14T04:31:00.000-05:00Equally the cartel of cocaine that keep those bank...Equally the cartel of cocaine that keep those bank figures high.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com