For leisure they have one soccer field and one park. They have basic services such as water, electricity, telephone, internet, mail, and police forces.
Recent accomplishments include:
- Installing computer technology centers, benefiting 400 children with access to modern technology.
- Educating more than 3,300 children in basic health issues, improving their health.
- Diversifying crops with over 300 families, improving their food security and increasing their income.
- Building a water tank and cistern, increasing access to safe water.
- Organizing Christian activities, offering spiritual nurture to more than 800 children.
Located on the Pacific Coast of Central America between Guatemala and Honduras, El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. Known as the “land of volcanoes,” it experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Natural resources include hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, and arable land.
Approximately 90 percent of the people are mestizo—of mixed Spanish and Native Indian descent. Spanish is the country’s official language.
Salvadorians are industrious people. Even those who are unemployed or live in dire poverty work hard to provide food, clothing, and other essentials for their families. Around 60 percent of people are employed in service occupations while 20 percent of adults are engaged in farming.
Agricultural products include coffee, sugar, rice, beans, cotton, shrimp, beef, and dairy goods.
The economy depends on agriculture, relying on coffee for at least one-half of its exports. A rising tide of violent crime has negatively affected the country’s economy. El Salvador has the highest murder rate in the world, as well as a high incidence of child abuse—70 percent of children indicate they have been mistreated in their homes. Medical care for victims, restoration of material damages caused by crime, and protection of property have drained a large portion of federal resources.
At least four out of every 10 people live in poverty, and about half of all children and adolescents are poor. This severely limits their access to adequate nutrition, sanitation, and clean water.
More than 35 percent of the population live below the poverty line, and more than 40 percent live on less than $2 a day. Seventy percent of children aged 16 and 17 do not have access to secondary education.
Through sponsorship, World Vision is partnering with families and communities to help meet immediate needs and promote lasting changes that will strengthen communities and move families toward self-reliance.