When people envision a tropical beach with volcanic sands, warm waters, and ideal surfing waves, they’re referring to El Zonte in El Salvador. It’s astonishing to think that this natural paradise was once a battleground for Latin America’s most ruthless and violent gangs for decades. A UNICEF report reveals that the homicide rate in 2015 was 103 per 100,000 inhabitants. This led to thousands of children being orphaned and susceptible to recruitment by drug cartels, where migrating to the United States appeared to be the only way out for a better life.
Chimbera was born in the El Zonte community, where opportunities were split by a road dividing the beach from the mountains. “In the past, if you were born on the beach, you became a fisherman, just like my father and grandfather. If you were born in the mountains, you tended to be a farmer; women primarily took on homemaking roles. The only hope for young people was to emigrate to the United States or Canada. We sadly learned that these opportunities existed—the land of freedom where dreams supposedly come true. Ironically, these words emerge from a smiling face. It’s easy to be captivated by Román Martínez’s smile; known as ‘Chimbera’ to his close friends and family. His infectious joy stems from someone who deeply understands the darkest aspects of society. His smile narrates a story of collective resilience, where a community believed in a better future and, without expectation but with relentless determination, turned a fishing village in one of the world’s poorest and most violent nations into a hub of technological innovation and human progress. This is indeed a rarity in modern history.
Chimbera gazes skyward as he continues to ponder dreams. “We believe in God and the law of attraction, but it’s crucial to have faith in something that compels you to commit and work towards that dream every day. Initially, our dream was to provide kids with more opportunities in the community, keeping them away from delinquency and inspiring them to start dreaming.” Román emphasizes that too often people tell you to “fight for your dreams” without providing the tools or knowledge needed to succeed. “That’s how our dream began: Jorge engaging with children on the streets, supporting and inspiring them to envision a better future.
It’s hard not to feel emotional as Jorge Valenzuela explains tearfully the motivation behind founding Hope House. “We aimed to offer these children the opportunities our friends never had, which is why many of them are no longer here.” Like most El Zonte residents, he carries a story. Two decades ago, Jorge earned his living through farming. His passion for surfing and the waves was overshadowed by the harsh reality surrounding him, which anchored him in place. During that period, the job market offered only two paths: gang involvement or private security work on a property. The grim and violent climate of those years presented a dead end. “There was a shortage of jobs, education, and general avenues for personal growth. Many sought to emigrate to find those opportunities elsewhere,” Jorge articulates.
In those years, each morning as the sun began to rise over the mountains, Jorge contemplated his desires. He would grab his board and head to the black sand beach. There, lying on his back with the board stuck in the sand and his gaze on the horizon, Hirvin awaited. Together, they learned to read the sea and feel the wind’s direction. They warned newcomers about the perilous currents that could sweep the inattentive out to sea, and gradually began imparting their surfing knowledge to the younger community members. Patience is a surfer’s greatest ally; those who can wait are the ones who catch the perfect wave. They spent afternoons on their boards, strategizing ways to uplift their community. In those moments on the water, Hirvin and Jorge recognized an area bursting with potential. “We embraced tourism as our main tool, a pathway to connect with other countries, showcase our land’s beauty, and encourage them to visit our community.” They believed they could create new job opportunities within the town. “At that time, I was a surf instructor and felt that this sport would be pivotal for everything that unfolded later in El Zonte,” Jorge shares.
No one could have predicted that on that beach, amid humble homes and dirt roads, the world’s first Bitcoin circular economy would take root. Before long, Jorge and Hirvin encountered individuals who would transform their lives. “By some twist of fate, people like Mike, Melissa, Carlos, and Alex chose to relocate to El Zonte, dedicating their time and efforts to uplift our community,” Jorge recalls. The beach and surfing became their unifying force. “As kids, I remember them teaching us English and connecting us with incoming tourists; that cultural exchange began to shift our perspectives. It allowed us to dream, something we were not accustomed to in El Zonte. They demonstrated that, regardless of circumstances, if we have dreams and commit to them, change is possible.” Jorge reminisces about Mike Peterson and realizes how significantly different his life could have been had he not crossed paths with him.
With Mike joining the initiative, they began to organize community efforts on the beach. The concept was straightforward: create opportunities and hope for the youth. Empower them as leaders and equip them with essential tools so they wouldn’t feel the need to emigrate or get involved with gangs. Fill what Jorge calls the “children’s love tank.” “When we were young, they taught us some English words and assisted us in improving our reading and writing, but it wasn’t until my daughter was born, who is now 17, that I recognized we had been children with an empty love tank.” A community where children grew up without parents or older siblings present to guide, love, and support them. “We all have a tank; it can be empty or filled with love and hope. That’s precisely what the kids in our community required.”
Mike wasn’t just a blue-eyed outsider falling in love with the beaches and people of El Zonte. He arrived as a surfer but soon evolved into a dream creator.
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