Oscar - Sports, Education, and Discipleship Create Confidence.

Oscar was born on February 16th, 2006. In 2016, his mother, brother and sister had to move to Nuevo Cuscatlan to live with some farmers and work on their farm so they could live there for free, while Oscar stayed with his father to finish out his school year. Later, they joined to the rest of the family on the farm. “It was a very hard and difficult time because only my father works, we survived with only $150.00 per month to pay for all of our needs.” Oscar said.  

Now, living in Nuevo Cuscatlan even with not paying for using the house, their current situation isn´t good. But despite that “Moving has been a big blessing because we have had better opportunities.” his mother says.

His mom does not have a job due to COVID 19 because she works making “Pupusas” (famous typical food of El Salvador) at the diners and they are closed because of the restrictions. Now, she is making sweet bread and “tamales” (A traditional Latin American dish) to sell with the neighbors of their community to make some dollars and survive. “My father works as a security guard of a post office” Oscar commented while he helps sell the bread on the street with a weak mask made of fabric and no gloves to wear.

Oscar goes to church with his mother who has always taught him the principles and values of having a relationship with God.

Oscar enrolled in our programs in 2017 and at the same time he started, so did Mirna, our Education Coordinator who is the Vice Principal of the school Oscar attended from 2018 to 2019. He said that being a part of SOI programs has been a big help because they not only teach soccer, but also the Word of God. “Bible teachings have helped me a lot to encourage me in having a close relationship with God” Oscar testifies. In February of this year he was recommended by his parents to be baptized very soon, perhaps after this pandemic.

Oscar playing Soccer with boy from USA

Oscar is a very intelligent, kind, and respectful child, he likes to study and work with others. “One of my weaknesses was getting scared easily” He confessed “I have been attending SOI Hope Restored program since September 2017 when I was invited by the coach (Andy) who runs the program in a community near where I live. He wanted me to train in soccer after school but I am not an athlete” he says “but going to train has been very cool because I have learned to work hard to get the things I want. I am now more confident in myself and am an extroverted child always looking to exercise with other children.”

“Now, I am studying 7th grade in a private school because of a scholarship, and it is thanks to God who through SOI and the alliance it has with BeSport and ESEN that I was chosen for that big blessing based on my grades at school.” Being part of SOI really changed Oscar’s life, because he studied in the public school Pedro Pablo Castillo in the municipality where he lives now. “Thanks to sister Mirna Alférez, teacher Humberto, and Coach Víctor Escobar from BeSport, and our tutors from ESEN University I was able to get a scholarship. I attend the SOI training at BeSport and then I started going to tutoring at ESEN (Superior School of Economics and Business) on Saturdays, a university that has an alliance with SOI through Future ESEN, its students’ association. “They provide us academic reinforcement (remedial) classes to all the children who attend this program” Oscar says very enthusiastically. “The tutoring helped me a lot to improve my grades at the school where I studied the last 2 year, and at the end of 2019 I had the opportunity to apply for that scholarship at the Citalá School. So, Mrs. Mirna contacted us to visit the school and receive an introduction on how the scholarship would work. To get to that place, we were picked up by teacher Humberto, Miss Hilda and Coach Victor to visit the school facilities and take an exam that tests students knowledge. They gave us the test and told us that they would publish the results a month later. Fortunately, it was great news when they told us that three children from SOI were accepted to study in that school. IT IS A BIG BLESSING!”

Oscar’s life has been transformed thanks to God and to the great blessing that we have received through SOI and the other allied institutions. “This is what has marked my life and I hope in God that I can study a university career. My dream is to study aeronautical engineering, or something related with astronomy because I like this career.” Oscar shared on a phone call interview.

“I never imagined that my life would change in this way. Before, I was living in a place that did not even have electricity and we lack many things but today, even though we do not have our own house, we continue praying for that and we live very happy as a family. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had in the last years. When I become a grown man and have a degree, I would like to help others, like our SOI coaches, supporting and training other children if possible. God’s will!” Oscar concluded.

SOI El Salvador helps many children everyday improve in school, sports, and knowledge of God. Oscar is just one story of how dedicated coaches and being connected to other resources can transform a childs’ life.

If you would like to learn more about the ministry of SOI El Salvador or see how you can join their mission, click here!