Here are basic facts and FAQs about Central America migration, how World Vision addresses root causes of poverty there, and how you can help. One program raising promise among vulnerable youth in Central America is Youth Ready. Through this approach, we help young people discover their potential, develop specific career and life skills, establish support networks, build character and confidence, and plan for their future in their communities. This is work is made possible, largely because of child sponsorship.
El Salvador
Why World Vision is in El Salvador
Nearly one in three El Salvadorian households experience poverty, and violence marked the country in 2018. Rates of murder and disappearance, especially among women, are high — about seven people per day go missing. In October, a state of emergency was declared when heavy rains caused flooding in already-vulnerable areas. Hundreds of people were evacuated as rivers overflowed toward thousands of homes. Thanks to the support of our donors and partners, we worked with families and communities to help end violence against the most vulnerable people. Because of government partnerships, we were active participants in a national council working toward increased safety and harmony among the people of El Salvador. In an effort to create safer communities for all, we brought churches together in an innovative project called Plan Safe El Salvador to keep children and adolescents protected from violence in their homes and communities. Churches can help teach parents and caregivers about raising children with tenderness, respect, and care — seeing kids as Jesus sees them. We also helped bring humanitarian aid through food, hygiene kits, and more to migrants. Strengthening education, community preparedness for emergencies, and people’s livelihoods all remain important areas of our work to support vulnerable children in El Salvador.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in El Salvador ❯
Progress in El Salvador
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- A new approach in El Salvador, called "Tambien Soy Persona (I am a person too)", works with parents and caregivers to teach them positive parenting techniques through hands-on activities at workshops.
- Expression workshops in El Salvador were held where children painted, played music and participated in sports. They also learned self-discipline and time-management.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- A positive parenting program was implemented in El Salvador where parents learn about early child development, nutrition, and how to develop positive healthy relationships with their children.
- Through installation of new water filters and other improvement measures at schools in El Salvador, boys and girls have access to safe, clean drinking water, helping to prevent waterborne diseases.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Through a collaboration with communities and schools in El Salvador, peace building clubs were created. In these clubs, children come together to learn about conflict resolution, self-esteem, and child rights. The clubs also focus on leadership and life skills, setting career goals, and planning for the future.
Prayer Requests from El Salvador
World Vision's staff in El Salvador are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Protection for El Salvador’s children from violence in all forms — that their families and communities would love and support them.
Dialogue between communities and governments would bring conditions of peace that break generational cycles of violence.
News from El Salvador
From the Field
A former sponsored child’s unquenchable thirst for service
Through World Vision, a former sponsored child from El Salvador becomes an advocate and water official in his impoverished community to access clean water.
From the Field
Zika virus: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
The mosquito-borne Zika virus can cause microcephaly and other serious birth defects. Though the disease has faded from the news since its most recent outbreak in 2015, Zika remains a risk in dozens of countries and territories in the Americas. Learn facts about Zika, the latest outbreak, and future threats.
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