Compassion logo
El Salvador

Compassion partnership began 1977

EST. 1977

WATCH

Hola! When you arrive in El Salvador, you’ll be surrounded by towering mountains and serene lakes in this ‘Land of Volcanoes’. In its neighbourhoods, or barrios, you’ll meet people known for their warmth, who express their culture through La Palma folk art and traditional dress called ropa típica.

Population

6 M

Capital city

San Salvador

Local time

Current Weather

, 0°C

Distance to Australia

13,785 km
El Salvador is one of the most dangerous places for a child to live. Gang violence and homicide is a daily reality. Many youth leave school early, making them vulnerable to negative influences like gangs and criminal activity. Children are also experiencing malnutrition, further threatening their healthy development.

Poverty in El Salvador

3.4%
of people live in extreme poverty
10%
of children under 5 experience stunted growth
Two thirds
of youth do not complete high school

Yet God's Church is on the move in El Salvador. With nutritious meals and help accessing school, children’s futures are changing. Our local church partners are running vocational workshops to help youth build skills, avoid harmful influences and find stable employment so they can break the cycle of poverty in their families.

Compassion in El Salvador

246
local church partners
73,453

children supported

823

babies and their mums supported

Impact in action

Ignacio, 18

Change is happening across El Salvador. Ignacio grew up in a remote community where school dropout rates are high. There is no secondary school in the area, so he only had two options: farm or migrate. The local church opened more possibilities and Ignacio is now starting a tour agency with friends, showcasing his beautiful hometown.

“When we attend the centre, we are encouraged to have professional dreams. At the centre, I heard about the possibility of being a professional for the first time. The centre workers empower us and help us to have a vision for a better future.”
Ignacio, 18

Move with us in El Salvador

Searching...

Help end poverty for a child

Sponsor today for just $55 per month.

Pray that children, families and staff will be kept safe from frequent natural disasters.

Pray that God will continue to make a way for children to receive an education.

Pray for an end to ongoing gang violence in El Salvador.

Pray God's peace and protection over vulnerable children.

Pray for God's provision over families affected by the global food crisis. Ask that children will receive the nutritional support they need to grow strong and healthy.

Pray for your neighbours

Join local churches in bringing these requests before God.

See the stories. Feel the impact. Move with compassion.

10 May 2024
We Must Look After Our Own Backyard—But Can We Extend It?
We’re often told that we need to “look after our own backyard first”. But as our access to knowledge of what is going on around the world increases rapidly, is that possible? Or is it time to extend the boundaries of our yard and embrace our global neighbours?

Read more

23 May 2022
Five Education Projects That Will Help Restore a Generation
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global education crisis for the world’s most vulnerable children. That’s why Compassion’s local church partners are planning targeted, innovative ways to meet the cognitive needs of children in poverty—and your help is needed.

Read more

11 Apr 2022
Restored Hope Devotional: Day 1
As followers of Jesus, we understand love by looking at the character of God—He is love. If God is love, then it is also God who defines love. In 1 John, Paul tells us that this is love: even when we had no love towards God, He showed His unrelenting love for us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Read more

29 Nov 2021
You Can Love Your Neighbour with One Small Act
Christ shared His love with us, now we can give that same gift to others. See how small acts of great love can rewrite the headlines in the lives of our neighbours.

Read more

26 Aug 2021
Poverty Explored Part 4: How Can You Help?
As such a devastating, multi-generational issue, it's vital that childhood poverty is taken seriously and addressed to produce better outcomes for children. Ending poverty is the top goal of the United Nations and a target has been set for 2030 to eradicate extreme poverty.

Read more

30 Mar 2021
Good Morning Devotional: Day 2
Perhaps you are already familiar with the idea of God as all-knowing. Psalm 139 tells us that His “eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139: 16). But the story does not end with God simply knowing about us. Through Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, we are known and loved for who we truly are.

Read more

28 Jan 2020
The Most Popular Baby Names Around the World
Every continent has its own customs and quirks, including baby names! Check out the most popular ones for children in child development centres across 25 countries—there’s a lot that can be revealed with just a name.

Read more

22 May 2019
12 Fascinating Photos of Tiny Homes in the Developing World
The 'tiny home' movement is making its way across the world—but tiny homes are nothing new. People have lived in tiny homes for much of human history. Here are 12 fascinating photos of tiny homes from around the world.

Read more

26 Nov 2018
Where Are They Now? Meet 12 Remarkable Compassion Graduates
From police officers, entrepreneurs and even a government official—meet these inspiring Compassion graduates who are changing their communities.

Read more

23 Apr 2018
Have You Sent These Things to Your Sponsored Child?
Wondering what you can send to your sponsored child? Read on for the items you can include with your letters, plus learn what not to send.

Read more

8 Mar 2015
The Global Impact of Clean Water
While millions of people around the world don’t have access to improved water sources, Compassion is at work to provide clean, safe drinking water for children in and their families living in poverty.

Read more

Explore more countries in Central America

Explore the global neighbourhood
Dominican Republic

Est. 1970

Guatemala

Est. 1980

Haiti

Est. 1968

Honduras

Est. 1974

Mexico

Est. 1979

Nicaragua

Est. 2002

NEWSLETTER

Add your amen

Over 60,000 Australians are praying for change in Jesus’ name. Receive monthly prayer requests from children’s local churches.

Gifts of Compassion

Give a gift that meets a real need

Give now

Follow

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Youtube

Contact

Email us

1300 22 44 53

30 Warabrook Blvd, Warabrook NSW 2304 Australia

Journal

Featured

Stories

Films

Press Centre

Policies

Privacy Policy

Modern Slavery Policy

Whistleblower Policy

Supplier Code of Conduct

Complaints Policy

Follow

Contact

Journal

Policies

© Compassion Australia 2026

Call us 1300 22 44 53

Contact Us

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

© Compassion Australia 2026

Compassion Australia ABN 67 001 692 566. Authorised to fundraise in NSW (CFN/10658), VIC (FR0010734), QLD (CH1569), SA (CCP2632), TAS (F1A-208) and WA (20740). No authority to fundraise is required in the ACT or NT.