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Sponsorship in El Salvador

CFCA sponsorship has been offering hope to the poor in El Salvador since 1985. Today, through the Santa Ana project, children and aging persons receive life-enhancing benefits designed to help them overcome obstacles of poverty and live with dignity.

The people of El Salvador are recovering from the effects of civil war and natural disasters that devastated their country. A 12-year civil war that ended in 1992 claimed the lives of some 75,000 Salvadorans. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused about 200 deaths, left 30,000 people homeless and resulted in significant damage to the country’s infrastructure. Two major earthquakes in January and February of 2001 caused more than 1,000 deaths and damaged an estimated one-fifth of El Salvador’s housing. Later that year, a severe drought led to the loss of around 80 percent of the nation’s crops, causing hunger in the countryside. All of this occurred in a country in which about half of the people live in poverty.

Sponsorship provides encouragement for individuals and families to move forward in their development. Once obstacles of poverty such as hunger or lack of educational opportunities are removed, people are able to progress in their development and have hope for the future.

Benefits provided through the Santa Ana project include monthly rations of food, tuition, books and school supplies, and computer classes. In some areas, sponsorship assists with school meals and transportation costs. A school uniform and sports uniform are provided yearly.

Health care, emergency care and assistance with funeral costs are provided for sponsored persons and their families. Dental care (including checkups, tooth extractions and instructions on hygiene) is provided annually or as needed.

Opportunities for values or spiritual formation are available for families. Other benefits include assistance with housing repairs or construction.

 Sponsor a child in El Salvador

About El Salvador

El Salvador, known as the Land of Volcanoes, is a land of rugged mountains, green valleys and scenic lakes. It is the smallest country in Central America, but the second largest in population. El Salvador contains 10 times as many people per square mile as the United States. The central plateau region is home to most of the population.

Coffee plantations line the lower slopes of the mountains, and the country is one of the leading coffee producers in Latin America. Although half of all workers are farmers or ranchers, the country is also one of the most industrialized nations in Central America. Besides coffee, other farm exports include sugarcane, corn, rice and beans. Food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer and textiles are the major industries.

A major challenge for El Salvador has been dealing with the decline in the coffee sector, which had been the foundation of the economy. A collapse of global coffee prices resulted in reduced coffee production and loss of jobs in rural areas. Coffee exports used to account for more than half of export earnings, and by 2003 had dropped to just 3.4 percent. The country, which is noted for its hard-working and enterprising labor force, is attempting to develop a more diversified economy with new growth sectors.

The people

El Salvador has two very distinct cultures. Urban cities operate much like cities in the United States and Western Europe. Rural areas of El Salvador have more traditional Hispanic values as seen in music and dance.

Each year, thousands of rural Salvadorans move to the already crowded cities to seek work. The poor generally rent small apartments in rundown buildings, and the middle class live in row houses or apartments. El Salvador’s 12-year civil war, which ended in 1992, worsened the problem of poverty and hindered cultural development.

In rural areas, the poor mostly live in huts with dirt floors and thatched roofs. Farmers tend small plots of land that they own or rent, or they work on large estates called fincas.

In spite of the difficulties facing them, Salvadorans have the capacity to smile, dream and work hard to reach their goals. These characteristics will serve them well as they work toward a better future for their country.

Education

School is compulsory through the primary grades, but perhaps one third of all students that age do not attend.

Although there are no tuition payments in public schools, children pay an enrollment fee at the beginning of the school year and expenses for supplies. The school year generally extends from January to November. Many families cannot afford the cost of education and would not be able to send their children to school without the help of CFCA sponsorship.
 Sponsor a child in El Salvador

Sources:

World Factbook

MSN Encarta Encyclopedia