El Salvador

Why El Salvador?

Youth in El Salvador face a range of significant challenges, including:

Poverty and Economic Hardship

A large segment of the Salvadoran population lives in poverty. Limited economic opportunities, high unemployment rates, and low wages make it difficult for young people to find stable, well-paying jobs.
Limited Educational Opportunities

Access to quality education is a challenge, especially in rural areas.
Gender-Based Violence

Young women in El Salvador face high rates of gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual assault.
Family Disruption

Youth who experience abandonment, abuse, or mistreatment at home often feel drawn to a life on the street because gangs can make them feel like they finally belong somewhere.
Migration Pressures

Due to the above factors, many young Salvadorans see migration, often to the United States, as their best chance for a better life. This journey is fraught with risks, including exploitation and abuse.

Ministry Locations

El Espino

El Espino is a juvenile correctional center for boys located outside the city of Ahuachapán, near the border of Guatemala. Counteract, in partnership with the Rotary Club, has installed a computer lab and a library at the center.

Sendero de Libertad

“Sendero de Libertad” (Path of Freedom) is a juvenile correctional center for boys in Ilobasco. Counteract, in partnership with the Rotary Club, has equipped the center with a bakery workshop and a computer training lab.

CISF

The Female Social Integration Center (CISF) is a correctional center for girls in Ilopango. Through a project with the U.S. Department of State, computer skills and English workshops are offered to the girls in the center.

Tonacatepeque

The juvenile correctional center for boys at Tonacatepeque is about 18 miles from the capital of San Salvador. With support from a German NGO, Counteract built a structure within the center that serves as a chapel and a Success Academy classroom.