The Journey

Jose, was around 19 years old when he experienced the Salvadoran Civil War from 1979-1992. The war was between the El Salvador government and the FMLN which was formed by 5 guerrillas. The FAES ( Fuerzas Armadas de El Salvador) and FMLN (Farabundo Marti Liberation Front) recruited children, including those less than 16 years of age, which led to having 80% of kids killing people. They fought over power and control, which led to 12 years of violent conflicts.

“I felt scared because I could have died at any time.” expressed Jose. He saw people and their farms being burnt down because of the bombs the government forces and guerrilla groups would throw in certain areas. Both sides would attack adults, and even children, who they thought were against them. Some people could be working and a bomb would randomly kill them. Jose was afraid his cattle would get stolen or bombed and leave him without a job. “Staying home and working for my family was a way I survived.” He said He would also stay away from wooded areas because soldiers or the FMLN would be in bushes waiting to attack people.

Jose recounts that El Salvador soon set a law to keep people safe during the day, especially at night where violence was more active. There would be soldiers and police out at night looking for people that don't follow the curfew. “If we were outside after the curfew, we would face consequences such as getting murdered or arrested,” he said.

People started to flee. They would go to the U.S. or even closer countries. When war ended Jose was afraid there would be another war and was worried that if he had a family he wouldn't want them to be in a country where they might be killed. So whenever he had a chance to flee he did.

Now Jose is living in a small town in Arkansas. He has his own family living peacefully without any thought of war. He has a better paying job now compared to his job in El Salvador. He loves telling his kids stories about what it was like during war. My dad said “ Although I experienced El Salvador during its worst times, I still love visiting my home with my family.”. “It's a lot more peaceful than how it was back in the day.” Jose added. Though he had to leave everything behind, he was able to accomplish his dreams by having a family and a much safer country and giving them a better future.