our context

ENLACE serves churches in El Salvador , a nation located in north eastern Central America and bordered by Guatemala , Honduras , and the Pacific Ocean . It is the smallest and most densely populated Central American country. The country continues to struggle, recovering from a devasting 12 year war (ending in 1992) most people live on less than $5 a day, and the economy continues to divide the wealthy from the poor creating a society that has sent more than 2.5 million people to the North looking for work.

With its tropical climate and rustic landscape El Salvador is a beautiful country. However, after Haiti , El Salvador is the most deforsted country in Latin America (with only 5% remaining). Most of the country's water is polluted, and many fear that at the current rate of destruction, the country will rund out of drinking water in less than 15 years.

In terms of the people of El Salvdador, the soil for ministry is rich with opportunity. There has been consistant growth over the last 30 years in Christian churches. In general, there is an openess to the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, people are increasingly loosing hope in the future of the country. Stories of the opportunities in the North (the United States )dehebilitate many people's desire to stay and invest their efforts at home. This is understandable because few have seen their hard work pay off.

Many are looking to experience the claims of Christianity, that a life in Christ can change the way people treat one another. Too often, people are left to fend for themselves, and churches often strive to grow in numbers forgetting to “be” Christ to their neighbors. Yet, we are experiencing a move among the hearts of many Christian leaders who want their churches to embody the Kingdom of God that we read about in the Bible. It is because of this movement that ENLACE exists, to encourage and support those who want to serve their communities so that the Church can be the Light Jesus called it to be.

KEY INFORMATION

POPULATION

6,470,379 (2003 est)

AREA

8,124 sq miles

(21,040 sq km)

EXPORTS

Textiles, coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oil seed,

cotton, sorghum; shrimp; beef, dairy products

RELIGION

Earlier statistics identify as much as 83% of the population as Roman Catholic. However, one recent source estimated as many as 40% protestant Christian (with the majority being Pentecostal and Baptist denominations).

LITERACY / EDUCATION

Literacy in rural El Salvador (%)

Men 72.6

Women 66.8

 

Average Schooling received (grade completed)

Total 5.5

Urban 6.9

Rural 3.5

 

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

42% are in poverty (not able to provide adequate shelter, healthcare, education or clothing). As high as 65% in some departments

19% are in extreme poverty (not able to provide basic food necessities). As high as 36% in some departments

Average annual income (rural) $1382

Average annual cost of basic food supply $1320

 

ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES %

Electricity 63.4

Potable Water 47.6

Trash Disposal  5.2

Sanitation facilities 84.3

 

41% of rural homes use contaminated water

82% of “potable” water is considered contaminated by U.S. standards

 

OTHER INTERESTING STATISTICS

In 2002 2,778,286 Salvadorans lived outside the country

22.% of homes receive financial support from outside the country

the outside money makes up 46.2% of their income

 

Use of support from the exterior (%)

General Consumption 91

Housing .6

General Investment 6.9

Savings 1

Other .5

 

MAJOR SOCIAL CONCERNS

Gang activity, exported from the US , has taken a major hold in El Salvador . There are two rival gangs; Mara 18 ( 18 th street gang from LA) and Mara Salvatrucha (MS). Gang activity accounts for a majority of the violence in the country. In January, 2005 there were 290 murders (more than Costa Rica had in all of 2004).

Resources: CIA World Factbook - El Salvador www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/es.html

www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/central_america/el_salvador/index.htm

United Nations' Informe sobre Desarollo Humano en El Salvador 2003