For over 19 years, FUSAL, SAHF's sister foundation, has been implementing impactful strategies to support early childhood development in rural El Salvador. At the heart of these efforts is sustainability—empowering community volunteers to become agents of change and knowledge multipliers within their communities.
SAHF plays a vital role in this mission by providing nutritious food, essential medicines, and supplies, enabling FUSAL to carry out its life-changing programs.
The Early Childhood Program focuses on improving the well-being of children from birth to four years old in multidimensional poverty, with an emphasis on nutrition and early stimulation. Through initiatives such as Nutripuntos, early stimulation circles, home visits, and pregnancy clubs, the program operates in 51 communities, significantly improving family nutrition practices:
✅ 85% of families now follow proper feeding practices.
✅ 74% of families with infants under six months practice exclusive breastfeeding.
✅ 80% of children received appropriate food introduction.
By driving behavior change and providing direct support to vulnerable children, these efforts have led to 32 children overcoming malnutrition and 11 children improving their anemia levels.
📌 76% of children under four are developing appropriately for their age.
📌 86% of children under two are free from malnutrition.
📌 66% of children are no longer anemic.
Education is a key component of long-term development. Thanks to program interventions:
🎓 265 children graduated from FUSAL’s Early Childhood Program, with 46% enrolling in preschool—a crucial step toward breaking the cycle of poverty.
🍽 771 families participated in food preparation workshops, where they learned to create nutritious meals using local ingredients, ensuring better food security and dietary diversity.
🌱 550 community volunteers across 17 districts continue to champion early childhood development, directly impacting 3,789 children and 269 pregnant women.
📦 FUSAL, with SAHF’s support, has provided food and essential supplies valued at over $1 million to sustain these families.
🍼 110 community volunteers have been officially certified as Breastfeeding Counselors by the Ministry of Health (MINSAL), strengthening long-term maternal and child health.
Thanks to this collaborative effort, thousands of children are getting a healthier start in life, creating lasting change for families and communities in El Salvador.
