There is a humanitarian crisis going on right now in El Salvador. Amnesty International has reported massive human rights violations, random detentions, violations of due process, and torture under President Bukele's government since March.

My name is Jamie and I am an American English teacher. About five years ago, on a trip to El Salvador, I met a lovely woman named Sara, who was working for my friend's family. We immediately connected when I was there, hanging out in the kitchen, talking about life and children, and we have stayed in touch ever since. The other day, she sent me an audio message crying, telling me that the police had detained her son under the Salvadoran president's new order to arrest gang members under a declaration of a state of emergency. Sara and her son Mauricio, pictured above, live in a poor area, but Sara is very religious and swears her son is hard-working and in no way involved in a gang. Sara’s son got caught up in this "sweep". Amnesty International is reporting young men being arrested simply because a police officer doesn’t like their faces. Children, age 14 and 15, have been arrested. Currently, in El Salvador, you are guilty until proven innocent. Sara needs to hire a lawyer in order to prove her son’s innocence, get him out of prison, away from the real bad guys and out of the hands of authorities who are torturing and mistreating prisoners. He is 24 years old. My own son is 23. I know how panicked and desperate I would be if it were my son.

Please help me help them. I am just one person who is heartbroken by her friend's situation. I am fundraising on my own, using GoFundMe as a platform to reach more people through social media. I will accept the donations in the U.S. and send the money directly to Sara to pay a defense lawyer. I will pay any administrative fees incurred by going through GoFundMe and pay to transfer the funds. Any donation is appreciated.

Update: I have sent $500 of the funds raised to Sara and she has met with a lawyer and her son has had his first court date, although he remains in prison. They are now in the phase of collecting evidence and witnesses to testify on her son's behalf. Please help to fund the next step!