AMERICA/EL SALVADOR - Young man from Community of Sant'Egidio killed by a gang, for his work with the youth

San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) – William Quijano, age 21, of the Community of Sant'Egidio in San Salvador, was killed on his way home after suffering various bullet wounds on the evening of September 28. According to a statement from the Community of Sant'Egidio, the murderers were part of a gang formed by poor young people living in the ghettos of Central American cities. For the past five years, William had been working in the “Escuela de la Paz” (School of Peace) with poor children from the Apopa neighborhood, in one of the suburbs of the capital. His peaceful life of goodness and service towards the youth and those most in need was well-known and presented an alternative to the gang lifestyle.
The statement affirms that the Community of San Egidio, present in El Salvador with thousands of members, is committed to working towards a society in which all can coexist in peace. Through their commitment to the poor and the youth, they hope to raise them up out of the violence and present the possibility of a life that is completely opposed to that of fighting and juvenile crime. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 1/10/2009)