Ana is fundraising for EcoViva's Youth Programs

Youth in rural El Salvador face many challenges: gang violence, limited access to quality education, and lack of job opportunities push many to make the difficult and often dangerous journey north in search of better opportunities. Between October 1, 2015 and April 30, 2016 alone, U.S. Border Patrol encountered over 9,600 unaccompanied Salvadoran minors trying to cross into the United States - nearly eight times as many as in 2009.

EcoViva addresses these issues by empowering young people to become leaders and build strong communities. The core components of the program are:

1. Community Participation: Through five local youth groups, young people organize events around environmental awareness and community service.

2. Leadership Development: Promising youth leaders attend a training program using popular education to learn about pressing environmental conservation issues and community organizing skills.

3. Entrepreneurship: Youth-led businesses create economic opportunities for young people, including enterprises in fish farming, raising chickens, and clothing sales.

4. Food sovereignty: Young people built and manage several school gardens with solar-powered irrigation systems, supplementing school meals with healthy ingredients.

5. Arts and culture: Skilled youth presenters run the community radio station Mangrove Radio, which broadcasts educational and entertaining programming to thousands of listeners. 

We need your help to grow these programs! Funds raised will help us pay for youth program staff time and purchase classroom materials, radio equipment, and transportation for youth to participate in these valuable activities.

By contributing to EcoViva, you are investing in bright kids, adolescents, and young adults who are committed to building a better future for themselves, their communities, and the planet. Through these youth programs, they are developing the crucial skills they will need to take on greater leadership roles in the future. Thank you for your support!

¡Que vivan los jóvenes!