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What makes this place exist? What gives it its importance? Why the kids call it the Bubble?
- These are the questions to be answered to really understand our situation in the middle of the culturo-socio-politico-religious web of El Salvador -
Historically, El Salvador is just coming out a civil war that ended in 1992. The new identity of El salvador is being imprinted by the over extended influence of economy, commerce, politic etc coming from the globalization effect, absorbing its ressources and its culture. Mass media networks are corrupting citizens, selling them fake hopes, wrong directions, unhealthy behavior. Altogether, it means taking advantage of the lack of education suffered by the salvadorians. A poor mind doesn't make discernement.
- Knowledge equal Power -
El Salvador is mainly populated with young people, fighting for freedom and independance. A weak social structure, unorganized politics and the lack of governmental support creates the unstability that we deal on our everyday life, hampering the young generations from normal growth, a bright future, a happy life.
So many kids in the streets
- Education -
As in most countries, a student faces two choices: the public or the private intitutions. Most of them chose to go the public schools as they are free. Going to school can result in interesting facts. There is a terrible lack of teachers. A lot of them making their own interest before the communal one: school is seen as a buisness, selling stuff to the kids, asking them for money etc. Some of the children are leaving the classroom because of the poor level of knowledge offered, feeling that they would raher be working making money. Violence steps in too: constant fights are happening within but also outside, students standing behind the school's flag, defending their establishment's glory like nations do. As a result, schools dont fulfill their own purpose, leaving 16 years old kids with poor writing skills.
- Environment -
Environmental awarness is literally not existing. No sensibilisations, no models. The give and take process seems far away and need education, especially in such an agricultural area.
- Religion -
A sensitive subject but a proeminent one. The sake of God is easily called and apply to contradicting concepts. For exemple, sexe is taboo, condoms doesn't exist and we end up with pregnant 13 years old girl and young boys sentenced to emprisonment.
- Culture -
In a nutshell, the girls look after the kids and make tortillas while the boys go work in the field or at the factory. Homes are empty during the days, leaving the kids free to roam. There is little support from the parents; they rarely trigger ambitions and open different perspective in their children's mind.
- Economy -
We are sourrounded by foreign factories coming mainly from China, the U.S. and Spain; employing the local manovers to make industrial goods as clothing (Nike, Gap...). There is little options for work. Some say "why going to university when there is nothing waiting for you outside?".
- Leisure -
Having free time is one thing, using it is another. Again, a poor country has poor facilities. The national sport is soccer and that's about the only thing you could do. Even libraries are scarce. When they exist, they provide few choice but not only: you cannot walk around freely and consult books, everything is secured behind a counter!
- Addictions -
As a result, the kids end up struggling with life, focusing on alternative options that seem to provide some excitment: Drugs . As a result, groups are forming and fighting over emotional territories : young politicians are being born in the wrong nest.
In the end, The Salvadorian are still sensitive and smiling people. Only they carry a heavy burden that needs to be alleviated. - We believe that education is the key -
