Education in El Salvador

Organisation: Fe Y Alegria
Country: El Salvador
Project: Primary School extension and new computers

Situated in the poor area of La Chacra in the capital San Salvador, known to be one of the most violent in the Country, Sr Mark from Newry and the Poor Clare nuns who run the school have been helping improve the lives and futures of the locals for several decades.

Alcoholism, drug abuse and gang violence are rife in the area and many families do not have basic services, and unemployment is high. The school and the education it provides are a vital outlet and a sense of pride for families who send their children there to give them a chance of a better life.

After devastating earthquakes in El Salvador in 2001, many projects fell by the wayside when more pressing matters of refurbishing and even reconstructing those schools damaged took priority. The government provides only $8 per student per year, and as a result parents are asked to provide $5 per month, in difficult circumstances. Even with this the income does not cover the costs.

The school extension provides that vital next step in the local children's development and all age groups are catered for among the 800 pupils. As well as offering a summer school and projects to help the children in their development, workshops are also provided to help the children find employment when they leave.

The computers were provided by Adsum after a visit to the school in 2009 when we saw just how important the school is to the local community the dedication of the staff and teachers.