Our first look at the contrasts in El Salvador
Posted on 05. Oct, 2010 by Kate Buggeln in 9. El Salvador, Bpeace Blog
“We are a country of 7 million people. 20,000 gang members can not bring the country to its knees.” Director of an NGO working with El Salvador’s gangs.
It’s 48 hours and counting. A Bpeace team has arrived in El Salvador and we are sucking on the fire hose of our experience. Began the moment we stepped off the plane. Juxtaposition and disparities — Slums and BMW dealerships surprise our eyes. Subway sandwich shops and Mister Donuts present familiar middle class landmarks . . in neighborhoods too dangerous to leave the car. New shopping malls offer Zara sportswear while traditional mercados griddle 5 cent tortillas. We sit in traffic jams passing abandoned coffee plantations and new subdivisions. We are in El Salvador and learning big time in this — Bpeace’s first fact finding expedition!
The AHAs:
This is a beautiful dynamic country with a vibrant middle class and complex economy. Poverty is not the story in the capital city, rather wealth disparity.
International and local brands abound in San Salvador and an active consumer is at every income strata. Salvadorans shop. Manufacturers make product. Distributors import and export across numerous industries. There is market space here for new businesses to grow.
Yet security issues and political transition are constraining both economic growth and optimism for the future. 20,000 gang members increasingly enable the illegal drug industry. Their extortion costs impact even big company P&Ls. How can so few impact an entire country’s view on the opportunity ahead?
Because we see so much more than gangs. Front page newspaper headlines are not of violence but cover a hotly contested Sunday football match. We attended and cheered as part of our liaison Eduardo Cader’s culture immersion effort (our adopted team Allianza won)!
Everywhere we experience some of the best customer service in the world, evidence of both pride and great training programs. Salvadoran warmth, delightful weather, verdant volcanoes and black sand beaches drive a growing tourism industry where surfers ride top waves.
And we find the most beautiful sight in the world for a Bpeacer — entrepreneurs busy in the art of creation. Many in micro but also medium size business too. Their entrepreneurial spirit an expression of hope and purpose. And did we mention that women run the majority of small enterprises?
Over the coming days we will continue to drown and digest, learning and framing where Bpeace can intersect with these entrepreneurs and impact the violence. There is an entire country to explore. Stay tuned.
17 Comments
Toni Maloney
05. Oct, 2010
Seems like finding the Bpeace sweet spot to doing what we do best is going to be complex. But then again we have the A-team on the ground to figure out where we can fit in and add value.
Thank you all for investing in Bpeace expanding our frontiers.
Lex Goldstein
05. Oct, 2010
What a spirited report, looking forward to reading much more as the days move forward!
Donna Fleetwood
05. Oct, 2010
It’s like opening an exciting present to see this first blog from El Salvador and experience with you how everything is on the ground there. Keep the pictures and on point blogs coming!
Laurie Chock
05. Oct, 2010
terrific report–looking forward to each update
Mojdeh B.
05. Oct, 2010
It is really nice to see your smiley faces. I can’t believe in less than 48 hours since your arrival you were able to write such a great summary report. Can’t wait to read and see more. Keep up your great spirits and excellent work.
ellen lubin-sherman
05. Oct, 2010
It figures…put a group like this in El Salvador and watch out! Thank you for putting your collective brain power and enormous hearts to work. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this terrific organization.
Athena Katsaros
05. Oct, 2010
Wonderful to see all of you there and know that you are deep in the exploration of this new Bpeace venture. How fascinating to discovery a whole new culture and way of doing business. I can feel the vibrancy of the city through your description.
Lauren Hass
05. Oct, 2010
Shouldn’t be surprised to hear how busy you are already! What stunning pictures — and Kate’s words do a wonderful job, as always, of painting a clear picture of life on the ground.
Robin Kramer
05. Oct, 2010
Hurray for our intrepid leaders paving the way in El Salvador. Look forward to hearing and seeing more from your trip.
Susan McP
05. Oct, 2010
You all ROCK! Thanks so much for providing such a vivid and descriptive narrative. Look forward to reading more info as you post.
Safe and wonderful travels!
With love,
Susan
Agnes Terestchenko
05. Oct, 2010
Sounds facinating to discover more than we read in newspapers!
Safe traveling
Agnes
Kirsten
06. Oct, 2010
Go, Kate, go!
Sabra
06. Oct, 2010
Talk about contrast!!!
Is that a real mall? Then I see the young lady apparently roasting corn (based on the 3 bags that fell out of the wheelbarrel) which would probably be my hangout.
Can’t wait to hear how you feel Bpeace can fill in the big gap.
Monica Hinojos
06. Oct, 2010
I can’t tell you how excited I am to have played a role in this incredible new journey for Bpeace. I look forward to hearing all about the trip from Mary upon her return! Ready to help make El Salvador a successful venture for Bpeace. Exciting times!
Dana K
07. Oct, 2010
Those pictures are fantastic — as are you all!
Thank you!
Travel safe and continue to inspire.
Much love, Dana
CMF
09. Oct, 2010
So will you be working with informal businesses as well, because it seems that there is where the majority of the problems lie. Not within the middle class neighborhoods that you visited but people who have even smaller businesses and struggling every day to try and make more than a few dollars. Those people are targeted by gangs and as well are at risk to joining gangs because they can never get ahead. You cannot get a microloan in El Salvador unless you own a house, not can one get a student loan unless you have a co-signer, so how can a small informal businessman get ahead. i don’t think the the
$250,00 business market is where the problem lies, if you have that much capital in El Salvador than you really don’t need that much help. I think the focus should be on more how to bring the informal market over to the formal market, so they can access the credit they need to grow as a business.
SUSAN M
23. Oct, 2010
great to hear from you guys and hope to hear more happenings. Go Bpeace make this world a better place.
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