Local nonprofit Foundation for Cultural Exchange will make cultural delegation trips Aug. 1-9 and Dec. 4-9 to Grand Junction’s sister city in El Salvador, El Espino.

The focus of the August trip is promoting cultural understanding and building relationships between Western Slope travelers and residents of El Espino and is geared for a more adventurous traveler. The December trip is geared for travelers who are looking for a shorter and less rugged experience .

“These trips are not what you think of when you think of service or mission trips,” said Anna Stout, president of the FCE and trip leader. “It’s about understanding each other’s ways of life, not going there to fix or change things. On these trips, we practice ‘service through humility,’ understanding that we have a lot more to learn than we have to give. Our mission is to build relationships, not houses or schools. We want to empower the sister city community and be a partner in their development.”

The trip itinerary, information about travel within El Salvador, a brief history of the Foundation for Cultural Exchange and Grand Junction’s sister city relationship can be viewed in a virtual session. For a link to the virtual session, email info@fceelsalvador.org or call 970-433-2897. To sign up, visit fceelsalvador.org/delegations.

Estimated all-inclusive cost for the trip is $2,000-2,500, dependent on airfare and number of travelers, and the deadline to register is Friday, June 20. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. No Spanish experience is required. Space is limited.

For more information about the FCE or the summer trip, contact Stout at 970-433-2897 or anna@FCEelsalvador.org.