Central & South America

Central America

Workshops since 1996 have been offered for religious, health promoters, psychologists, educators, ex-combatants, midwives and grassroots leaders sponsored by CONFRES (Conference of Religious of El Salvador), DIGNAS (Center for Women and Abuse), and other grassroots centers. Since 1999, the Capacitar-El Salvador Team has coordinated a wellness center in Suchitoto with outreach to communities in the former war zone. A satellite wellness center was opened in 2000 to serve the community of San Bartolo. In response to the 2001 earthquakes, the Team offered over 100 workshops and outreach services to thousands of refugees and survivors of the disaster. In 2002 the Capacitar-El Salvador team in Suchitoto served the local communities with workshops and individuals sessions for mental health and body-mind-spirit healing. Leadership workshops were also offered to the team for ongoing development.

During 2003, the El Salvador team led Trauma Healing trainings in Colombia for participants in Cali, Medellin and Bogota. Trainings were sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) in collaboration with the Franciscan Network, the Conference of Religious and other grassroots peace groups. AFSC also sponsored the publication of the Spanish edition of the Capacitar Trauma Healing Manual. In 2006-2007 a program for schools in Suchitoto was offered by the team to develop attitudes of peace and reconciliation among students. An in depth training facilitated by Joan Condon, is being offered during 2009.  For information on services or to schedule outreach workshops in El Salvador contact: capacitarelsalvador@yahoo.com

Since 1991 Capacitar has offered workshops and trainings for several thousand grassroots leaders, Mayan peoples, religious, human rights activists, union leaders, and youth under the auspices of CONFREGUA (Conference of Religious of Guatemala), UITA-FESTRAS (Federation of Unions connected with the food industry), Tierra Viva, Madre Tierra, the spirituality center ICE-CEFAS, the spirituality center in Nahual, ODHA (Office of Human Rights for the Diocese of Guatemala), Utz K'Aslemal Mental Health Program of Quiche, and Centro Msn. Gerardi in Chimaltenango. 2001 and 2002 workshops were offered in Nahual, Guatemala City, Chimaltenango, and Quiche and local groups and teams in many places are using Capacitar practices in the context of their own outreach programs. Trainings and workshops in 2003-2007 consisted of days of retreat for mental health teams in the Quiche, sponsored by Caritas and Utz k'aslemal.  A program of trainings is being developed in collaboration with the Sr. Barbara Ford Peace Center. 

For information: Virginia Searing, SC  vsearing@yahoo.com

Honduras

Capacitar has collaborated on trainings with Centro Visitación Padilla in Tegucigalpa since 1994. In response to the trauma and destruction of Hurricane Mitch, Capacitar trained 23 grassroots leaders, indigenous, healers, psychologists and social workers from eight regions of the country and from the prison system in the Trauma Healing and Transformation program. Pat Cane led a June 2004 training on Healing Ourselves, Healing Our World for grassroots leaders and professionals. Capacitar workshops for groups are offered by Gladys Lanza: gladyslanza@hotmail.com and
Nancy Meyerhofer, OSF  nancyosf48@hotmail.com

Capacitar was born in the barrios of Managua in 1988 in collaboration with CANTERA, Center for Popular Education. Since that time urban and rural workshops in collaboration with many grassroots organizations have been offered to several thousand grassroots leaders, holistic healers, educators, religious, psychologists and social workers. After Hurricane Mitch trainings in Trauma Healing and Transformation were sponsored by CANTERA and Centro Antonio Valdivieso.

A yearly program of Leadership and Spirituality facilitated by art therapist pioneer Lynn Kapitan, Ph.D. and Mary Litell, OSF, is offered each summer under the auspices of CANTERA. CANTERA also sponsors a December Capacitar Dance Retreat led by Mary Litell OSF. Contact CANTERA Director Anabel Torres, cantera@ibw.com.ni In 2008-2009 Mary Litell is also offering a Multicultural Wellness in depth training at CANTERA.

Centro Antonio Valdivieso also sponsors annual Capacitar workshops. Centro Antonio Valdivieso has published the Spanish version of the book Trauma Healing and Transformation. For more information contact Martha Cabrera, Director of Centro Antonio Valdivieso: Cav@ibw.com.ni

South America

Argentina

Since 1999 Capacitar workshops and retreats of ecofeminist spirituality have been offered by the Capacitar-Chile team in Buenos Aires. In March 2004 Pat Cane led workshops for grassroots women and Trauma Healing Trainings for professionals in Buenos Aires sponsored by Centro Los Cerezos. Different levels of training have been offered since 2005. Monthly Capacitar workshops are available in Argentina coordinated by Susan Diaz and Sarita Fleis at Los Cerezos.


For information contact:
Susana Diaz: susanadiaz1212@hotmail.com
Sarita Fleis: saritafl1@juno.com

Bolivia

Since 1999 Capacitar workshops have been offered in
La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz for grassroots women, indigenous, healers, students, educators and psychologists. Capacitar practices are being used by different groups with health promoters, professionals, religious and women in La Paz.

Brazil

First workshops with religious and grassroots groups were offered by the Capacitar-Chile team in 1998-2003. Since 2007 a yearly program of in depth Capacitar trainings have been led by Tony Sheridan CSSp, and Mary Litell in Rio, Bahia.

For information and dates see the calendar or contact:
Tony Sheridan: acsheridan@vol.com.br or
Mary Litell: marylitell@gmail.com

Chile

Capacitar Chile team and grassroots leaders

Ritual at Capacitar-Chile Center

Capacitar has offered workshops and team development for grassroots leaders since 1992.

A first Spanish Manual of body-mind-spirit practices was developed in collaboration with the Capacitar-Chile Team. The Santiago-based team offers workshops throughout Chile, as well as in Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia. A beautiful Capacitar Wellness Center was built in El Cajon de Maipo for workshops and retreat with a monthly ongoing program. Seasonal retreats are offered by the Capacitar team and other visiting teachers.


For information or to schedule workshops contact:
Judy Ress, Victoria Martinez or Doris Muñoz of the Capacitar-Chile Team capacitarchile@123.cl

Colombia

First workshops were held in August and October, 2001 in Bogota, Cali, Buenaventura and Medellin, Colombia under the auspices of grassroots women's centers, popular education centers, the Conference of Religious of Colombia, the Franciscans and different religious congregations. Pat Farrell, OSF, of Capacitar-El Salvador, coordinated Capacitar trainings and outreach to groups in Colombia. During 2003, the El Salvador team led in-depth Trauma Healing trainings in Colombia for participants in Cali, Medellin and Bogota. Trainings were sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) in collaboration with the Franciscan Network, the Conference of Religious and other grassroots peace groups. AFSC also sponsored the publication of the Spanish edition of the Capacitar Trauma Healing Manual.

For information on local workshops:
Julieth Tamayo, Centro Popular Melendez: ccpmelendez@emcali.net.co.

Peru

Capacitar offered workshops for grassroots groups, community leaders and religious centers in Lima and surrounding areas from 1994-1998. Since that time workshops have been developed in collaboration with the Capacitar-Chile Team.


For information or to schedule workshops contact: capacitarchile@123.cl

In 2005 Pat Cane led a national training in Self Care for Caregivers sponsored by ProVida for health promoters from around the country. Mary Ondreyco SNJM offered basic Capacitar workshops in July 2008 for religious, parish leaders and grassroots people.