El Salvador Gangs: 4 truths and 1 reminder
El Salvador grapples with rising bloodshed - Los Angeles Times
As many of you know, El Salvador is notorious for its gang violence. I thought I would write about this because it's what makes the biggest news about the country where I am serving.
Truths:
1. As the article says, there are a significant number of youths raised by someone other than their parent or with a single parents. If I had to guess, based on my own un-scientific survey of my students 30% are raised without a father at home and another I would say 20% are raised with no parents at all. It makes growing up harder and that's why they often fall into other ways of life.
2. It is a bizarre thing to get adjusted to big huge shot guns or other types of large weapons with security guards in front of places like pharmacies. It's because the gangs demand renta. If its not paid, they will kill you or your family or maybe something lesser...if you are lucky.
3. It is strange to hear some of my friends tell me someone they know was recently murdered. They usually don't know why...we can only imagine. Even where I live in a small community, people know the murdered because this is such a tiny country.
4. The justice/police system is as the article says...I'll leave it at that.
Reminder:
As the article said, most of the violence is in the capital- San Salvador. That's where the gangs are and that's where the biggest threat is. There is little, if any, actual gang related violence in my community. So no need to worry about me and my safety. My community takes care of me and I am extra careful at all times.
As many of you know, El Salvador is notorious for its gang violence. I thought I would write about this because it's what makes the biggest news about the country where I am serving.
Truths:
1. As the article says, there are a significant number of youths raised by someone other than their parent or with a single parents. If I had to guess, based on my own un-scientific survey of my students 30% are raised without a father at home and another I would say 20% are raised with no parents at all. It makes growing up harder and that's why they often fall into other ways of life.
2. It is a bizarre thing to get adjusted to big huge shot guns or other types of large weapons with security guards in front of places like pharmacies. It's because the gangs demand renta. If its not paid, they will kill you or your family or maybe something lesser...if you are lucky.
3. It is strange to hear some of my friends tell me someone they know was recently murdered. They usually don't know why...we can only imagine. Even where I live in a small community, people know the murdered because this is such a tiny country.
4. The justice/police system is as the article says...I'll leave it at that.
Reminder:
As the article said, most of the violence is in the capital- San Salvador. That's where the gangs are and that's where the biggest threat is. There is little, if any, actual gang related violence in my community. So no need to worry about me and my safety. My community takes care of me and I am extra careful at all times.
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