Building a brighter future

Andreu Oliva SJ is director of the Jesuit Development Service (JDS) in El Salvador [CAFOD]

Andreu Oliva SJ works as the director of the Jesuit Development Service, one of CAFOD’s main partner organisations in El Salvador

Andreu Oliva SJ, a mechanical engineer with a profitable career ahead of him, gave it all up to become a Jesuit in Central America.

Barcelona-born Andreu was 26 years old when he first went to Nicaragua – which borders El Salvador - to work as a volunteer.

Finding job satisfaction

"When I was a teenager I always wanted to work in Latin America," he said.

"After I graduated from university as a mechanical engineer, I started working with a natural gas company, but it didn’t give me much job satisfaction."

Andreu went to Nicaragua for two years, teaching engineering at a Jesuit-run university, and it was then he began thinking about becoming a priest.

"I was drawn to the Jesuits because of their work with the poor.

"To see the enormous potential of these people and to live with them and fight together for a better society – it was contagious.

"The work I am doing now is much more fulfilling than the job I had before, and personally I feel it is more useful."

Improving life for farmers

Today, as director of the Jesuit Development Service (JDS) in El Salvador, Andreu helps to coordinate a rural development programme aimed at increasing farmers’ income levels.

"Most people have very little land and have to supplement their income with a job in town, for example as a security guard or street seller.

"Our project team helps farmers to produce better harvests using techniques that are in harmony with nature. We have also seen improvements in people’s health because their diet is more varied, with more fruit and vegetables.

"For us, it is really important that all the families work together and build up a strong spirit of solidarity."

Providing shelter

Andreu described one situation recently when he went to bless some houses, built with CAFOD’s support, after the 2001 earthquakes.

"There was a woman of about 70, who was worried because her plot of land was too small. So we changed the design of the house to make it fit."

"When I went to give the blessing on her house she said: ‘I am the happiest women in the world because I have my house."

"Even though it was about half the size of all the others, she was so happy and that made a real impression on me."

Need for trade policy change

Andreu spoke of the challenges facing these rural communities, as a result of a new free trade agreement between El Salvador and the USA.

"In spite of the promises of this trade agreement, called CAFTA, people aren’t going to be able to compete fairly because of the subsidies available to US farmers.

"The Jesuit Development Service is helping to raise awareness about this new trade agreement, so that Salvadoran farmers can get organised and defend their interests.

Building self sufficiency

"My hope for the future is that the people of El Salvador will be able to live in dignity, having education for their children and health, happiness and peace.

"We look forward to a society where people are not dependent on outside help. We want to give them the tools so that they themselves can improve their lives."

take action

Advent Appeal 2008 Send YOUR Advent message of support to kids at a special school run by a CAFOD partner - you really will make a difference to many children's lives this Christmas

Shine a light in the darkness Please sign our petition calling on the world's largest mining company to listen to communities in the Philippines worried about the effect mining will have on their land - plus send a personal message of solidarity to the people of Macambol

Buy a World Gift Browse our new range of alternative gifts that act as two presents in one – something for you to give to friends or a relative, while the real gift changes the life of someone living in poverty