El Salvador

Upper Room has joined World Vision in a partnership in El Salvador to help some of the most vulnerable people in Central America. Upper Room is working with World Vision's La Bendicion project, located in the Lolotique municipality, 124 miles east of San Salvador, the nation’s capital.

Two devastating earthquakes damaged most of the houses in La Bendicion in early 2001. Each earthquake measured 7.6 and a 6.6 on the Richter scale. One quarter of the private homes in El Salvador were destroyed by the earthquake. The current deficit of housing units in La Bedicion is 70 percent, with most people homeless or living in inadequate shelters.

The current housing situation has contributed to social insecurity in La Bendicion, with many homeless families suffering. The children and families in La Bendicion are vulnerable to sickness and disease, as most houses do not have proper latrines, sewage systems, and draining pits. This lack of basic sanitation has lead to the propagation of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases and parasites. The most recent health survey conducted in the area indicates 77 percent of boys and girls suffer from an illness related to poor housing conditions and lack of clean water.

80 percent of houses are made of sticks and mud, 15 percent are made of adobe, and 5 percent are made of bricks. The average family consists of six people living in an area of just over 215 square feet. The average family’s monthly income is $70 (US).

Upper Room’s objective with World Vision is to help construct houses for families in La Bendicion. Approximately 96 people will benefit directly from the project. This project was started October 1, 2004 and will go till 2008. To build a house approximately cost $6,700. Upper Room’s commitment is to raise annually $37,000, which goes directly towards the direct housing project costs: construction materials, skilled labor, and transportation.

Our commitment to La Bendicion has played a vital role in providing poor families in La Bendicion with proper homes, empowering them and improving the overall quality of their lives. The objective of the housing project was to provide competent housing, including integrated latrines, for seven new families each year in La Bendicion. Not only are these homes being built but with World Vision’s help the families also are being provided proper training on the use of latrines, including correct health and hygiene practices.

El Salvador Sponsorships

If you want to learn more about partnerships, please visit the El Salvador Sponsorhip page.

Summer 2006 Video

Click below to watch the 2006 El Salvador Trip video.