Matt's Update! (as of September 1, 2005)

This week I returned from my third summer in Guatemala, this time to assist the launch of a community youth development program in an impoverished rural village. This moment came after two years of community discussions and planning with local youth and adults, and forging partnerships with concerned groups in the United States.

Because of your generosity, we quickly raised $11,000 in donations to get the project off the ground. In a developing country such as Guatemala, $11,000 can go a very long way. Organizations wrote checks, friends made personal sacrifices, and caring teens as far as rural Nebraska held fundraisers and sent boxes of school supplies.

I invite you to read through the following update of our progress in Guatemala and to share with me any questions or thoughts you might have. I have also attached photos of our Youth Council and staff team.

The Community:
Cerro Alto We have selected a Guatemalan community to launch the first youth empowerment program in. The decision was very difficult as there are many communities in Guatemala with great need. Cerro Alto, however, demonstrated the greatest support and enthusiasm for the program from all members of the community. Teens shared their dreams for a greater future for themselves and their community, and the local leaders offered to do all they could for the program, including providing free meeting space in the community school. The young people even trekked through mud and rain to attend their first youth council meeting. Cerro Alto is a rural, Mayan village nestled in the mountains. There are no paved roads leading through the community of about 1,500 people. All of the families live in poverty, and most in extreme poverty. Most youths do not have the resources to continue their education after 12 years old, when most will follow a familiar route of manual labor in agriculture or factories. Youth and children make up about 60% of the local population.

The 1st Year Program
For the initial year we have planned a smaller program for a gradual introduction. We have a community Youth Council that meets weekly. With the guidance of caring staff, the Youth Council will plan and organize 2 or 3 activities each week. A few of the components that the youths decided are important for their program include educational supports, cultural nights, sports, field days, reforestation projects, drug prevention programs, and a piñata party. According to the Youth Council, some of the most significant problems that youths in Cerro Alto face are drugs (mostly alcohol, smoking, and glue), lack of education, gangs, family problems (alcoholic fathers are common), unemployment, and lack of things to do.

Introducing the Staff Team
We have a wonderful team trained, excited, and prepared to guide and support the Youth Council and first year programs. Luis is a skilled techno for the Alliance for International Reforestation (AIR), our partner agency in Guatemala. Luis has been our strongest native advocate for a youth program in Guatemalan villages, and he facilitated much of the process. Luis, who grew up in Cerro Alto, will supervise the program and other staff part-time. The two other part-time staff who will work more directly with the Youth Council and activities are incredible young leaders from the community, Rosa Maria and Adolfo. Adolfo is a volunteer leader in his church and for younger children in the school. He is especially gifted in the arts as they relate to Mayan culture. Rosa Maria is a truly rare find, as many young Mayan women are very timid due to social circumstances. Rosa Maria is a top-notch leader who is very respected by the youth and community. She will play a particularly important role in involving and empowering young women.

The Dream Continued...
In the second year, after we have established a model of success in Cerro Alto, we have three intentions for a plan of expansion if the resources are available: 1. Add more activities and a full-time staff to the existing youth program in Cerro Alto. 2. Build a permanent Youth Center in Guatemala that would also offer much-needed computers and a small library. 3. Implement a program similar to the 1st year small program in Cerro Alto in another needy community.

To get involved: