It’s that time of year again! The Viva Fund is an annual campaign by EcoViva to raise money for programs that support young people in El Salvador. 

Youth in El Salvador often face incredible challenges. Poverty, lack of job opportunities, and the very serious threat of gang violence force too many young people to curtail their hopes and dreams for the future. Our programs aim to empower young people to become leaders and make positive change in their communities and their lives.

This year we’re raising money for two initiatives:

1) Radio Mangle is a youth-run community radio station based in the pioneering community of Ciudad Romero.

Since 2003 the radio has been an invaluable community resource. What began as a barebones early alert system to warn residents about imminent flooding following Hurricane Mitch in 1998 has since grown into a hub of the local communications network.

The radio broadcasts rich programming to thousands of listeners. It also trains and employs young women and men, equipping them with useful skills and a means to support their families.

The Viva Fund will help pay for radio staff salaries, trainings, upgraded equipment, and all the other things that go into running a vibrant community radio station.

2) We are also fundraising for an innovative learning exchange between young leaders from El Salvador and Honduras in partnership with the award-winning youth organization OYE.

The exchange will be a unique opportunity for young people working in service to their communities to meet, share experiences and ideas, and be supported and inspired as they strive to bring about positive change in the world.

We want to bring together 16 delegates for the first half of the exchange in a 5-day retreat in El Progreso, Honduras in the coming year. We need to raise money for transportation, lodging, food, supplies, and staff time to make this exchange a reality.

Your gift to the Viva Fund will support these two transformative projects that will strengthen the next generation of grassroots leaders. Will you help us turn up youth voices today?