An article by Donvieve

Our El Salvador contribution to the Foundation for Self-Sufficiency in Central America project took place in the Bajo Lempa, which means lower Lempa region.  The Lempa is the largest river in Central America, known as the Peace Zone.

Most of the population are what we would call "at risk youth" due to the poverty and lack of support systems.  Average family income is only $500/year. Only 10-15% were hard-core gang members.  The Trazos de Luz (Rays of Light) project has made a marked difference in their lives.   We also conducted workshops  with the youth at Tiera Blanca in the area of Ciudad Romero. We had direct contact with about 100 students between 8-18 years old.

The contribution to the Ciudad Romero farm project was also very important for its function in this village.  They are growing and self-sustaining their main produce for all the families, this includes plantain, squash, bananas, corn, and cashews.   They also go to a local market for other varietals foods.

"I was impressed by my walk with Jesus: his pride in his organic, 2 hector finca (farm), walking with him and learning about the water system, crops and how they used indigenous plants to make a spray for insect control."

"I was touched by how "new" this was for him and how inspired he is by the program that is offered by the San Salvador University.  Our donations for FSSCA have made all this possible."  

"I have a new awareness of what ‘poor' means. We want to change things, but we also see they are happy with their community and we must respect their way of doing things." The ‘priceless' things here are family, how they treat each other.   When they are educated to new ways they incorporate them to fit into their system to make it more efficient.