The Story of Isidro Salaverria
As told to us by Michael Toolan
for the Friends of Isidro Salaverria

Isidro Salaverria arrived in Vancouver in 1991 as a refugee. He was a dedicated and talented teacher, and was among the hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans who either fled the political unrest of his native El Salvador or simply disappeared.

Leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and his much-loved students, he landed in Vancouver strengthened by the fervid belief that “we do not survive by chance”. As Isidro explained it, while he was now safe in Canada, he had a responsibility to continue fighting the injustice that had displaced him and to work in solidarity with those who still suffered. This was his goal in life.

As an adult, Isidro was drawn to the Lutheran church that was rooted in a reconciliation of Christian faith with the social justice movement. As a teacher and activist, Isidro like many others was targeted not only for stating his views but acting on his convictions. In 1989, at the age of 25, he sought temporary asylum by crossing illegally at night into neighbouring Guatemala. There he was granted refugee status by the United Nations and waited to be resettled. His work with the Salvadoran Lutheran Church led to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in North Vancouver sponsoring Isidro to come to Canada in 1991.

Although he was forced from his own country, Isidro enthusiastically welcomed Canada as his new home and persevered to learn a new language and culture. He united with an established and growing Latin American community in Vancouver. Many in his new circle of friends were themselves refugees who had escaped the violence in their own homelands. Even before he had mastered enough English to be fully understood, Isidro immersed himself in local peace and social justice initiatives. He volunteered with the peace and justice committee at his church and joined the Christian Task Force on Central America.

Although leaving his native El Salvador was devastating for Isidro he was resolved to return to the classroom. When he had mastered enough English to resume his post-secondary studies in order to qualify for Canadian teaching credentials, Isidro attended Capilano College and later graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Education (1997). While studying, he worked with children and youth at Oppenheimer Park, Thunderbird Community Centre, and Collingwood Neighbourhood House. Children, like everyone, were drawn to Isidro’s lively spirit, contagious laugh and big smile. He nurtured in the children under his care a sense of respect for themselves and for each other.

Isidro taught for several years as a Spanish language teacher at Collingwood School in West Vancouver. He facilitated several unprecedented service projects at Collingwood involving students, staff and faculty in volunteer work in-and-out of school. In fact, Isidro opened a world to some of his students (and colleagues) they had never before experienced. He established fundraising events such as the 30-hour famine to assist those in need locally and internationally. And, he developed a much-needed mentoring program that teams Collingwood students with children at Thunderbird Elementary School in East Vancouver.

In 1998, when Hurricane Mitch devastated large parts of Central America, including El Salvador, Isidro led the coordination of relief efforts in Vancouver even before the Red Cross. His commitment and work helped to mobilize his school, church, and the community to arrange for aid for the affected region. In an unprecedented show of solidarity, Isidro’s students at Collingwood School volunteered to sort and pack donations of clothing, food, and medicine for shipment to Central America.

Isidro left Collingwood School in 2003 leaving behind a legacy that endures as these programs continue. His thirst for knowledge and adventure never sated, Isidro left for Spain to work on a Masters Degree in Spanish Language Studies at the Universidad de Antonio Nebrija in Madrid. As always, Isidro quickly formed strong friendships and he reveled in his studies. He missed Vancouver, however, and returned home in 2004 to complete his thesis here.

In Vancouver Isidro found a peace that allowed him to thrive as a teacher, friend, colleague, engaged citizen, and as a partner. I met Isidro in the summer of 1993 and was immediately captivated by his warmth, his smile and his laugh. Isidro’s passion for teaching and dedication to issues of social justice was humbling to me. His modesty was only slightly offset by his great affection for shoes. He loved the view to the North Shore because the mountains reminded him of the terrain surrounding the coffee-producing town of Juayua in western El Salvador where he grew up. Isidro loved Stanley Park, walking and running along seawall even on a rainy day. He loved to grocery shop on Commercial Drive and enjoyed cooking traditional Salvadoran meals such as ‘pupusas’ for his friends. Isidro and I were together for eight years and despite going our separate ways in 2001 we maintained a deep and everlasting love for one another. He met Alfonso while studying in Spain in 2003 and they complemented each other beautifully.

Isidro Salaverria passed away from complications due to AIDS at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver on August 16, 2005. Isidro’s energy continues to spread beyond this city, province and country. From the classroom, to his church, meetings in community centres and friends' homes he has left a remarkable and indelible mark. We are all better people for having known him.

Isidro Salaverria on the Memorial