From a shack to a house with water and electricity

Lidia Vasquez came to the city in the throes of the civil war that shook the country for many years. She settled down somewhere on the outskirts of the city. At that time, multitudes of migrants from all over the country descended on San Salvador just like her. A shack settlement with very few water points and unpaved paths soon sprung up in the city. In most cases, people would illegally tap electricity from the lines. The paths between the shacks would turn into slippery slopes when it rained. And San Salvador is certainly no stranger to rain – and torrential rain in particular.

Every home is now equipped with toilet facilities instead of latrines

The programme that KfW has been implementing together with the non-governmental organisation FUNDASAL – Fundación Salvadoreña de Desarrollo y Vivienda Mínima – since 1986 and has been promoting to the tune of around EUR 53 million in total has turned Lidia Vasquez’s life around. First of all, a regulated water supply and waste water disposal system was added, followed by electricity connections. These aspects in themselves improved the quality of life a great deal. Next, paths were paved, steps were built and, last but not least, even a community centre was constructed. "It simply doesn’t compare to how things were when we arrived here," she explains. Nowadays, for instance, each and every home is equipped with toilet facilities instead of latrines.

Carlos López is also delighted about the changes that have been made in the district where he lives, "10 de Octubre". He, too, lives in one of the many slums on the outskirts of San Salvador. "Before, all we had were standpipes; there was no sewer system," he reports. Everything is different nowadays. FUNDASAL’s assistance has meant that residents now have electricity, water and support walls to safeguard the slopes that were forever collapsing when it rained. One area that used to be particularly dirty has even been transformed into a park with a play area, where families with children can spend time at the weekend. The children have somewhere to play during the school holidays. "It really is a beautiful park that strengthens solidarity in the district," adds Carlos López.