The slum of El Zaite, near San Salvador, is characterized by brutal violence and the scarcity of clean drinking water. Established by families displaced in the armed conflict during the 1980s, the people who live here—primarily single mothers and their children— are all desperately poor. Food is scarce and illnesses are prevalent, in particular diarrhea, dysentery and others caused by contaminated water. With high rates of abuse and violence in the community, most mothers are unwilling to leave their children alone or with neighbors and so are unable to work.

How You Can Make A Difference

However, there is hope. Forty two young boys and girls attend the El Zaite Children's Center, a preschool run by a local community organization. The Center provides a nutritious meal—for many, the only food they'll receive all day—and teaches basic math, language, and cognitive skills to prepare children for first grade. It also gives them a safe place to learn while their mothers have the opportunity to work. (Please read the El Zaite Developmental Assessments report to see how the Center is changing young children's lives.)

In 2011, Give A Child Life committed $1,350 a month to pay the teachers and for medical and dental expenses. Right now, the recession and crop damage have pushed food prices up and families are sinking even deeper into poverty. By sponsoring a child, you can help ensure a little boy or girl receives food, medical care and an early childhood education. More sponsors are urgently needed.

Last spring GCL partnered with Bundles of Books to distribute backpacks filled with books and school supplies to the children. They loved it! Watch the video below to see the Bundles of Books distribution.