Glasswing International is based in El Salvador and has programs all around Central America. According to its website, the organization was founded to “empower individuals to address the root causes of poverty and violence in their communities through health and education.” In El Salvador, it has worked to improve parks, schools, and other public places. They also work at schools to promote an interest in academics in kids. In the words of one of the founders, Celina De Sola, Glasswing wants to “build opportunities where they live.”

De Sola spoke at Hotchkiss on Sunday, January 12.  She had the idea to found Glasswing after working in disaster relief in the Middle East. Having attended school in El Salvador through 8th grade, she was painfully aware of the hardships faced by Salvadorians and as a result, made alleviating these issues her priority. Over the past twenty years, Glasswing has changed the lives of many people in El Salvador; however, there are still many more who need help. De Sola said, “It’s important for young people in the United States to understand that Latin America is not a place where everyone is violent, but that the violence is a product of other things like poverty, lack of opportunity and trauma” 

El Salvador ranked as the country with the highest intentional homicide rate in 2017 according to a global study by the United Nations. For every 100,000 people, just over 60 are killed every year compared to the United States’ 5 people per year. A few of the root causes include widespread poverty and a lack of access to education in low-income areas. However, various organizations like Glasswing International have been working to help alleviate these problems and rebuild communities that have been harmed.

The presentation was partially organized by Anthony Moore ‘21 whose own experiences in El Salvador inspired him to continue to work with the group back in the United States. Moore has now worked with Glasswing International many times and has seen the effect their work can have on communities. He has spent part of every summer since his 8th grade year volunteering with the group, his goal in bringing Glasswing to speak to students was to bring awareness to the plights the man Salvadorians face on a daily basis and maybe spark interest in other students who might join him over the summer.

Approximately 20 people came to the presentation. One of them, Charles Billings ’21, found it to be “informative and very beneficial.” Others found that it expanded on their previous knowledge. Olivia Nachman ’21 said, “The presentation showed me the extent [to which] girls are getting abused in El Salvador.” Those interested in working with Glasswing in the future should reach out to Moore at [email protected] or visit glasswing.org.