Miriam's story

San Salvador, El Salvador

Miriam is a friendly, studious girl who wants to do well in her studies so that she can break free from the cycle of poverty her family has been trapped in. However, until recently, this dream looked impossible. Miriam was unable to perform well at school because she had to do her homework admidst the  noise and violence of the market in San Salvador where her mother worked. Much of her time was taken up working alongside her mother, leaving school work undone. Sadly, this is the situation for more than 86 000 children in El Salvador, who work  work in the commercial and services sector.

Fortunately, thanks to God, Miriam's prospects are looking up. The Red Alert team in San Salvador met Miriam and invited her to join one of the Toybox-supported projects, that meets in the market. The project provides food, homework help, materials needed for studying and psychological assistance, for Miriam and 45 children like her who spend their days working in the market. The project also puts on games and activites, giving the children the chance to enjoy their childhood as they ought to.
Besides from the food, Miriam says that what she appreciates most about the project is the attention, respect, security and peace that she finds in there. She says “at the project people treat me with respect and pay attention to me. At the project I have found peace”

Miriam says she is really happy in the project and is glad that now she can excell in her studies. She is now able to hope for a future beyond working in the markets.