Because of your compassion, neighbors in El Salvador are learning to protect precious water sources — and reduce their risk for disaster — while creating more sustainable incomes and stronger communities.
Cristian Ernesto Romero grew up working the land alongside his father — planting beans, bananas, bamboo, and fruit trees on their family farm in the highlands of Morazán, El Salvador. But over the years, he’s watched the once-reliable springs on their property slowly dry up, threatening the crops and livelihoods of his entire community.
What Cristian saw was far more than a local issue.
His family’s land lies within the Cerro Cacahuatique watershed, a critical water recharge zone essential to the well-being of families living downstream. As water supplies dwindled, the risks multiplied — threatening not only access to clean drinking water but also jeopardizing food production, local livelihoods, and the long-term sustainability of entire communities.
WITH INCREASED EROSION COMES INCREASED RISK
Changing rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and increased deforestation have led to severe soil erosion. Cristian noticed the rain no longer soaked into the land the way it used to. The dry season lasted longer. Crops of basic grains and fruits were harder to grow. Without action, not only his family’s farm — but the water security of multiple communities — was in danger.
YOUR COMPASSION EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES
Because of you, Cristian began actively participating in a locally led, LWR-funded training program, which taught him about water resource management and disaster risk reduction.
Being part of community planning where you live is powerful. It helps you understand what’s really happening — and what we can do about it.
With the training you provided, Cristian now has a water-friendly greenhouse, creating a stable source of food and income for his family.
Your support enabled Cristian to learn critical skills, such as how to reduce erosion, improve water retention and conserve both soil and water. These skills go a long way in reducing disaster risks such as landslides and restoring degraded lands. His training also empowered him to share his knowledge with others — becoming a local mentor on water management in the region.
“They trained us, and then we became trainers ourselves — mentors to others on protecting our water.”
TURNING KNOWLEDGE INTO ACTION
Cristian is using his training not only to improve his own crops, but he’s also mobilizing his community. As a result:
- More than 5,000 trees are being planted to restore forest cover and protect water sources
- 360 infiltration wells are being built, allowing more rainwater to reach underground aquifers
- Natural barriers are being constructed to reduce erosion and landslide risk
- The community is adopting organic practices to improve soil quality and long-term productivity
Your support has created a ripple effect of change for Cristian. A natural leader, he was hired as a community greenhouse manager, where he refined his skills in controlled-environment farming and efficient irrigation systems.
But perhaps most impressively, Cristian took a leap of faith and built his own greenhouse — creating a stable, year-round source of food and income for his family, using a fraction of the water that traditional crops require.
A Catalyst for Change
Cristian is using his training to advocate for more sustainable agriculture and water conservation.
Today, Cristian is more than a farmer — he’s a role model for sustainable agriculture and water conservation. He continues to experiment, teach and inspire — not only improving his family’s future but also strengthening the resilience of neighboring communities that depend on these shared water sources.
It’s not enough to learn something. You have to share it. If you know how to solve a problem, you should help others do the same.
Because of you, local leaders like Cristian are transforming knowledge into action — ensuring families have access to water, food, and hope.
Together, we can expand these solutions and protect the future of entire watersheds and communities across Central America.
