Overview

El Sistema, El Salvador offers free music education to over 2000 children and youth across the country. The project was initiated in 2011 by El Salvador’s Secretary of Culture in an effort to prevent at-risk children and youth from joining the notoriously dangerous gangs of the country. The program fosters community development by providing opportunities for youth to play together in local orchestras.  The effectiveness of youth violence prevention has been proved by a 2014 World Bank Study that showed a 34% decrease in reported violence in El Salvadoran youth studying music.

El Salvador is considered an epicenter of the gang crisis in Latin America. Along with gang related crimes, the country experiences very high rates of juvenile delinquency.

MusAid Support

MusAid travelled to El Salvador in the spring of 2013 to survey various music schools around the country that are housing the national El Sistema program After discussing with teachers and students about their most critical needs, MusAid devised a project in co-operation with the Secretary of Culture that would bring not only donated instruments but also highly qualified volunteer music teachers to El Salvador for pedagogical training and masterclasses through the MusAid Fellowship Program.

If you would like to apply to become a MusAid Teaching Fellow please visit of Fellowship Program Page.