Loss of Childhood

My topic for this month is youth. And so far, what I have noticed is that there is a lack of a childhood in this country for so many reasons. When children are born, they are immediately thrust into conditions that most of us would not be able to handle. From an early age, children work to feed their families, and if they do not bring home enough money, they are physically abused. The conditions in which children are forced to play, if they are allowed to play at all, are abominable. Raw sewage runs through the streets in many places and trash is present everywhere. Children are instilled with the doctrine that men work and women take care of the household duties. And what this results in are the little boys who tried to sell me gum today at a gas station and the little girl who would not play on the playground because she was holding a baby. Michelle told us that she probably cares for several children (siblings or other relatives) and probably makes their lunches as well. The little girl was only 10.

Another thing that I have seen is the level of leadership and maturity present in the children involved in Circulo Solidario. One of the youth organizers in the community we will be working closely with is a young girl named Wendy. She is only 15 and yet she was incredibly skilled at public speaking, organizing events, and being a leader in her community. When I was 15, I was worried about what to wear to school and keeping up my grades. She is helping plan and execute an environmental awareness campaign. While I think it is phenomenal that she has accomplished so much already and is clearly driven to do incredible work in her community, I think her experience is indicative of the rest of the youth in El Salvador. Their situation and the fact that they are faced daily with problems like lack of clean drinking water forces the youth to grow up so fast.

-Tess Cromer