Education in El Salvador:
An Everyday Struggle
By Sarah Doorley, MD
Education in El Salvador has always been a privilege of the few and not a right of the many. To make matters worse, the country was ravaged by a 12-year civil war that destroyed infrastructure, demolished communities and depleted resources. Between 1980 and 1992, approximately 70,000 Salvadorans were killed and $2 billion USD worth of damage was done. The community of Santa Marta was forced to flee to safety in a refugee camp in Honduras. In the Mesa Grande refugee camp, where the community lived for 6-10 years, access to education was limited. It was during this time of war and scarcity that the practice of popular education was born in this community.
“At times because we don't all fit in the chairs, we sit on the floor. We have one table, no more, that the books don't fit on, nor can we study there because there are so many of us. At times we all have to study, and for this perhaps it is better to study on the floor or lay down on the cot.”

The basis for popular education is to utilize internal resources when external resources are limited. With a third grade education one should be able to teach second grade. With a second grade education, one should be able to teach first grade. Chila, a teacher in Santa Marta's current school has been a teacher since she was 13 years of age. Popular education for the community of Santa Marta was a form a resistance and transformation. As Paulo Freire, one of the most influential educational thinkers of the late 20th century, stated, "Education becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world."

The return to Santa Marta after the war signified the end of the violence but the beginning of the struggle to rebuild their war-torn community. For the past 13 years, the people of Santa Marta have been relentless in their efforts to provide an education for the community's youth and adults. To add to their difficulties, Santa Marta is a community that is still discriminated against by the government of El Salvador, being viewed as a guerrilla community, a community that fought on the "other side." As a result, funds and governmental support are limited.

Students in Santa Marta, El Salvador.
Up until last year, the Ministry of Education, which only runs a primary school in the area, had refused to provide a sufficient number of salaries for the teachers of Santa Marta. Showing amazing solidarity, the salaried teachers of Santa Marta pooled together a bit of funds in order to support those teachers without a salary. A peaceful protest was organized by the teachers, the director and the students that succeeded in obtaining eight more paid positions.

Fortunately the practice of popular education established during the war has persisted. The community developed an adult literacy program, providing opportunities for educational services for the older population of Santa Marta. Five years ago a high school did not exist in Santa Marta. The community came together and, with the help of various international organizations, established the first high school in Santa Marta. In December of 2004, the first group of high school students graduated from the Santa Marta high school. Out of the 42 graduates, 18 enrolled in the university, far exceeding the 10% of pupils who go on to college throughout El Salvador. An additional eight students have gone to Cuba, participating in an educational exchange program between the two countries that includes medical school for some.

Still pursuit of a university education is extremely difficult for Santa Martans. One student eloquently explained, "the 18 that are currently enrolled in the university are there by the strength given to them by their dreams." The majority of the families that live in Santa Marta do not have a steady source of income. Most rely on agriculture but this, as one student stated, is barely enough to survive. Merlin, one of the students enrolled in university said that her family was able to help her pay for matriculation fees but she feels sad because the money that her family gives her is needed to pay for their food.

Most universities in El Salvador are located in San Salvador, the capital, which is a three-bus, four-hour, trip from Santa Marta. The majority of the Santa Marta students are living in crowded apartments without sufficient supplies or household items. Marleny, a student who lives in a house with eight others, described the living situation: "At times because we don't all fit in the chairs, we sit on the floor. We have one table, no more, that the books don't fit on, nor can we study there because there are so many of us. At times we all have to study, and for this perhaps it is better to study on the floor or lay down on the cot." The majority of the students stay in the city during the week and return to Santa Marta for the weekends.

Because food is expensive in San Salvador, most students bring tortillas and food back with them from Santa Marta in hopes of lasting the week and preventing an additional expense. The financial situation for the students is difficult. Lila reveals, "There are moments when I go hungry because I am saving the money for my child and for my return trip to my house (in Santa Marta)."

Regardless of the difficulties, the 18 students from Santa Marta enrolled in university are studying Math, English, Sociology, Philosophy, Communications, and Psychology. "I am always with the hope to have a career, to be a professional, and through this to earn a more dignified life," explained Lila.

The education that the students are getting extends far beyond the requirements necessary to obtain their respective degrees. They are taking university classes but they also are organizing community services, educational charlas and forums to pass along their newly acquired knowledge.

The dream of obtaining an education is motivated not only by personal success but for community development. As Jose Ramiro put it, "I have so many dreams for the future. The dream of an educated, healthy population with sufficient work and safe houses. The dream of a country where democracy, justice and equality truly exist. The dream of a future where collaboration and permanent peace exists."

Lorenzo feels a similar drive, "I want to continue studying despite all of the difficulties I face. I have many dreams for the future, which start with a college education and include improving the living conditions for my people. I plan to continue sharing my knowledge and contributing what I can to my community."

It was with the 18 aspiring students of 2005 and the many future prospective students from Santa Marta in mind that Matt Pellerite, in a collaborative effort between Wright State University and DGH, developed the Food For Thought program. The concept is for each participant to set aside one meal a month in order to donate five dollars to help the students of Santa Marta pay for their college education. As a sign of solidarity and a chance to reflect on what is most important in one's life, Food For Thought is an excellent opportunity to break out of one's isolation and join a global effort. If interested in participating in Food For Thought, please e-mail Matt or Sara Doorley.



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