Santa Clara University

Community: Jayaque

Praxis Site: Canton Los Sitios

Canton Los Sitios is located about 1 hour from San Salvador, in the department of La Libertad. This area is largely agricultural, with 60% of the population working in some sort of agricultural setting. Many of the women in the area are single moms who work in maquilas (textile factories). It is a poor area surrounded by coffee farms (fincas).  In Los Sitios, there is 30% illiteracy rate. The average grade level completed is 6^th or 7^th grade. The majority of young girls leave school at the age of 12 or 13 and, as a result, many become pregnant at a very early age, leaving the burden of raising children to the young moms.  Those who are able to continue and study at the high school and university level are rare. This region was the ninth hardest-hit by the earthquake in January of 2001 and was rocked by many aftershocks thereafter. Communities are still struggling to rebuild and revive after the damage. Jesuit priests and Oblata nuns worked in Jayaque in the golden years of pastoral work during the war. Padre Nacho Martin- Baró was the pastor at the time he was killed at the UCA in 1989.
 
Role of Casa students:  Students work with at-risk school children through a variety of activities, outings, and conversations at the public school in Los Sitios.It is a big brother / big sister program with the idea of encouraging students in their studies.  The majority of students in the program (age 10-21) come from disintegrated families and are experiencing academic / disciplinary issues.  The lesson plans are at the discretion of the Casa students, but past students have discussed themes such as relationships, non-violent conflict, resolution, leadership, and the importance of education.  Also, students spend one day visiting families of their students from Los Sitios and the surrounding area.  The goal of the home visits is to learn about the reality in which people from the region live and to build a closer relationship with the students.