Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa tithes 10% of our undesignated donations to Habitat for Humanity El Salvador. In El Salvador, the average cost of one Habitat house is approximately $4,200 (US). That means we can build more than two houses in El Salvador for every one we build at home!
El Salvador is the smallest of the Central American countries, with a total area of just 21,000sq. km, but is the most densely populated, with almost 6 million people. One outcome of El Salvador's twelve-year civil war and, more recently, Hurricane Mitch is extreme poverty and lack of decent housing. The country's 5.8 million people earn an average of $1,000 (US) per year. Many El Salvadorians are living in severely sub-standard conditions, often in homes with dirt floors and mud, cardboard or tin walls. These homes are not dry or safe during storms and contribute to disease.
Habitat for Humanity El Salvador's five local affiliates have built over 900 homes in their country that shelter over 3,100 families since 1992. Habitat El Salvador's houses are very simple by U.S. standards and consist of two or three rooms with no indoor plumbing or electricity. They consist of solid block walls, tile floors, and roofs. They are built to keep families safe as they are earthquake proof and have strong metal doors. Learn more about Habitat El Salvador by visiting their web site.
Additionally, volunteers from central Iowa journey to El Salvador about once a year for 7-10 day work camps. They work side by side with families helping them to build their new home, forming relationships not just building houses. Some time is usually reserved for visiting cultural or interesting locations. Volunteers pay their own expenses including airfare, transportation, housing, and food that usually totals around $1000-$1600.
To learn about work camp trips to other locations please visit the Habitat International web site.