Community Economic Development Facilitator

Diet: The food varieties available depend on the season, the size of the community, and region. Salvadorans eat a combination of meat, eggs, and dairy at most meals. Common foods include corn tortillas, black beans, rice, and chicken. Common fruits and vegetables include bananas, mangos, papaya, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and a squash called huisquil (chayote). Pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador, a delicious thick tortilla filled with beans, cheese, meats, and served with pickled cabbage.

Geography/Climate: The weather in El Salvador is marked by two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from November to April and the rainy season runs from May to October. Annual average temperatures range from 58 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and vary based on location and altitude. Temperatures can also vary during the day, so dressing in layers and having rain protection is recommended. Homes and workspaces are generally neither heated nor air conditioned.

Housing/Homestay: Volunteers are required to live with a host family throughout their entire service. In these homes, the Volunteer will have a private room with a lock on the door. The homestay experience will provide unique exposure to the culture, and powerful opportunities for Spanish language acquisition. Safety and security are seriously considered while selecting and preparing host communities who will become partners in the wellbeing of the Volunteer. Volunteers must be willing to follow cultural norms and respect family dynamics. Applicants should think carefully about their commitment to adaptability when living and integrating with a Salvadorean host family that may have limited resources. Most host-family homes have indoor bathrooms, showers and potable water.

Professionalism: Volunteers work full time and will create a work plan in coordination with their community partners. They are expected to demonstrate healthy personal habits, attitudes, ethics and act as consistent positive role models in the community. Volunteers should be willing to adapt to cultural dress norms both in the community and in the workplace. Volunteers are encouraged to keep tattoos covered, if possible, to respect community norms and avoid cultural perceptions that associate tattoos with gang activity.

Identity: Peace Corps El Salvador strives to support all Volunteers and recognizes that Volunteers might experience unique challenges as they navigate integration into the local culture (social, cultural, political, religious, and personal matters). Volunteers need to be mindful of cultural norms and be prepared to use cultural agility when approaching topics of identity in their communities. Staff and currently serving Volunteers will provide context for these topics during training and will share the strategies and support mechanisms available to Volunteers throughout service.

Crime and safety:
Despite significant challenges with stability in previous years, the El Salvadoran people continue to demonstrate impressive resilience in moving their country forward to a safer and more productive future. Improved security has led to a significant increase in tourism and the return of many expatriate Salvadorans who now are investing and re-establishing lives in their home country. Peace Corps has an important opportunity and privilege to support these goals and efforts at the community level through partnering with the mission of world peace and friendship.

Peace Corps El Salvador has an expert safety and security team tasked with coordinating with international, national and local agencies to monitor security issues. Strong attention is given to monitoring crime and placing Volunteers in the areas of the country with low levels of crime. Safety training and information about security is provided to the Volunteer on an ongoing basis.

Learn more about the living conditions, including detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics on our El Salvador country page. You can also delve into stories about local communities by reading our blog or Volunteer stories.