17th edition youth and developing opportunities

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e

SEVENTEENTH

EDITION 2013

-YOUTH AND THE DEVELOPMENT

OPPORTUNITIES IN GUATEMALA-

• Editorial Board Fundated News Editor's letter

• Edgar Montenegro

• María Martínez

• Barbara De León

• Norma López

• Andrea Pivaral

• Bernabe Flores

• Astrid Herrarte

• Amigos Peku-Peku

• Alejandra Zamora

"Youth and the

development opportunities

in Guatemala"

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John Paul the second, once was defined as "a young man of 83 years",

transmitting a clear message that the youth of the people does not rest on its

physical condition, but in the constant motivation of his soul, to take advantage in

the best possible way, of each one of the opportunities that are presented through

the years.

It is equally clear, that the self-identification has a personal connotation, in the

sense that each of us are free, and at the same time the only responsible, of how

you want to feel within ourselves with the sole purpose of giving us satisfaction and

a self realization.

If we move the importance of youth to the social level, the result is exactly the

same; Youth is the fuel that keeps constant the energy needed to evolve positively,

looking for the suitable solutions to each one of the problems that are generated

within the already worn out social dynamics of ours; so vulnerable and polarized.

What does that mean? Indisputably, young people are the present in each society

and those who are marking the future that a country will have in a short term.

That´s why, within the scope of the social development of each nation, it must

engages young people in those decisions that will permanently mark the course of

a given society.

José Saramago mention once that "the youth do not know what they can do and

elderly can’t do all what they know" with this famous sentence establishing the

importance of join both generations for the creation of the magic formula that could

respond to an endless unresolved problems, which drown us easily without a

minimal opposition as an avalanche. Just as plain and simple we ran away the

desire to live and we left only the will to survive.

Between the age of 18 and 25 years, the people are defining inherently. We define

our interests; We define our projects and define our relationships with the world

that surrounds us. We picture ourselves finding us living a social reality such as

ours where a high percentage of the population is comprised in the indicated age

range. In this context, which do you think might be the near future for a young

Guatemalan, for his/her family, for their projects and consequently for their

community and the world around him/her?

We believe it should be noted that currently it is not necessary to talk about the

negative that happens in our country. We're going to leave that in the newspapers

and newscasts dealing every day making mention and reminding us of the place

we occupy in this jungle called Guatemala, the country of the eternal shooting;

moving to the previous slogan that identified Guatemala as the country of eternal

spring.

In this edition of Fundated News wants to focus on demand for the youth of our

country, the minimum and necessary spaces that each one of them requires to

give to himself, to their family and their social context a better quality of life.

The Articles in this new edition give to the reader a perspective of how different our

reality could be, if we all get together to create spaces for development, according

to collective interests, which at the end of the road, will give us as a result, the

reach of the interests that each one have path.

"To achieve development, youth is an essential element in the recipe for a

dish that is cooked over low heat”.

Editorial Board Fundated News

OPTIMISM AND OVERCOMING AGAINST THE NEED

In a world where the "everyday life" and the time passes, the human is forced to

technology, constant search of information and training to perform in different

scopes for his development.

The human is inside the need, more than an option, to know two languages that let

him grow and develop at his daily activities and to have a better chance to get

different position in all those big companies governed by the globalization, the one

that requires a well capacitated human resource, even with the domain of two or

more languages.

One of the most important evaluated capacities in the world is a second language

domain, which lets the person apply in multinational companies work places and

positions where he can relate with other people from other countries and cultures.

It is known that the companies give priority to the curriculum that includes the

domain of two or more languages, in some other cases, according to the linguistic

abilities the applicant has, he will be able to get a better job and work place.

Even if learning a second language should be done since childhood, it is never too

late to start learning it. Indicators show that the best way to start learning a new

language is by doing it the same way "home language" is learned, where the word

assimilation and structures are combined, followed by an effective conversation

and literacy application.

Speaking a second language lets the youth have new opportunities in job and

international scope. In our society, a 70% knows, understands and practices

another language because in most of the educational centers and schools, English

is required, besides another languages such as French, German, Portuguese that

also could be basic subjects.

It is everyone's choice, devote every effort, commitment and dedication to be

prepared for a professional level and to face challenges that life brings, this way,

we can have a lot of benefits for ourselves and our families' welfare.

Edgar M. FUNDATED

It's amazing to see that those who are adults now were young people before and

who are young one day they were children also. Life stages, full of dreams, hopes

and goals.

I live, feel and express my youth I remember that even as a child I dreamed always

with this stage, the stage of YOUTH; now I have it in my hands. Opportunities to do

what I always wanted, a world that open his doors in front of my eyes, and desires

that I have within me are about to become a reality. I am aware of all the complex

things that have passed and are still by passing, challenges that I put in proof, but

only with spirit, passion and desire we will overcome.

As young people we have the desire to be happy, be free, and be heard. We

wanted so much to live we have many goals, dreams and hopes, but in the top of

everything the desire to act in this world, a world that sadly offers us a complicated

picture. A world in which hardly are propitious places to express ourselves social or

culturally. A world in which despite what happens, as young and being the present,

we cannot make us deaf ears, because this world is a reflection of what the man

have done.

A CHANGE. This is what we are called to

do. Put a side that adult who criticizes us,

that pessimistic scenario and those

thoughts that pursue us "Every Man for

him," paradigms that lead us to take

wrong paths, social problems than us

surround and limit us to perform and be

authentic. Fears that we have been

cultivating to grow within a society in

which the best is ignoring the problem so

in that way you won’t be get dirty. But

what do we want as young people? We

want those bad thoughts CHANGE, That

our mind EVOLVE and take out from the

root t these false beliefs that one day

were planted in our minds. We want they germinate and sprout in our minds only

good thoughts and impulses us, expressing hopes to see a new world, create a

new nation, struggling to conquer it by eliminating the indifference, selfishness,

corruption, and other values that affect so strongly to our degraded society.

We do not want to sit idly because we know

that our world awaits and needs us. Being

young; the spirit that always must remain

despite the age, so that all those thoughts

prevail and are retained so with the entire

nation we can fight together to achieve that

HOPE we all want.

Freedom and harmony, peace and unity,

equity and justice, truth and love, happiness

and fullness.

Maria Martinez Peñate FUNDATED

"Young people . . . the present and future of Guatemala!" How many times have we heard this? Do we know how important the role of young people in our country is? Certainly, young people in Guatemala, we are responsible for creating a positive change, both in the present and in the future. Young people we are the group that drives progress, usually we are struggling to achieve new goals, new ideals and the nature of rebellion motivates us to achieve them. But . . . what happens when there is a lack of awareness of important work? Guatemala is a third world country and a country that suffers many social diseases, faces strong challenges and is always fighting to get ahead. Unfortunately there are no politics that reduce and solve those problems that threaten our country and this is why the responsibility lies in the youth. Those problems and social viruses that threaten our country, limit the inclusion of young people in society; there is very little empowerment and youth participation on decision-making, this at the same time reduces the interest of young people to fight for the benefit of the country. Of course, the lacking opportunity of access to education is one of the biggest causes and undoubtedly affects the time when the young people access in to a decent employment where they get to feel useful to the society and can provide talent and creativity that characterizes them. Something that, in my opinion, plays a significant part in the Guatemalan reality is that wealth is poorly distributed; economic and political power is concentrated in a small percentage of society. This marks the social differences in a way more evident, coupled with this, other problems such as inequality, racism, crime, violence, domestic abuse, unemployment, etc. and unfortunately, each of these problems negatively impacts on the development of the young people in society. What is left to do? It is important to the young people to be aware of the great work we have, we have to get empowered and take advantage of our strengths to create a social change. Likewise, is needed to the adults to provide us the spaces so that we can continue with the transformation that Guatemala needs and, similarly, take advantage of the resources that young people are able to provide.

"Youth is not a time of life, is a State of the spirit" –

Mateo Alemán.

Let us use all the spirit of young people, work together for change, continue on the

road to development and do never lose faith.

Teenagers of Patzún

Bárbara De León

FUNDATED

YOUTH STREGTH LOOKING TO THE FUTURE…

If you live anxious, you are living your future... people said, now I´m wondering about what future? When you look back to the past... and see those moments you have lost, cause

you have taken others... those are now your history! Well, that´s life, you take one

thing and you lose another... but this happen when you at least have two option to

choose, what about if you have to follow only your only one?

Most of the Guatemalan population are young,and as a weak state, it cannot provide a good life quality, not only for young but for every Guatemalan--- then I ask myself... work for my country --- work for my future... I know not only one Young ... that have

been pushed to take drastic decisions to

look forward a good "future"... some of

them are just adventurer some other have

family responsibilities and other

are dreamer.

Well, the ones who had a professional

education have an opportunity, get into

the professional field and work hard to

get an space in this difficult work

situation, but despite all of this they keep

going there, working, studying, working ...

all of they just dream to achieve a

good life... but what about their goals

and hopes? All those things which go

further than just cover your basic needs?

Most of young people stay in this... and

think ... "those things are not for me"...

I wish as another here too, to get old in a peaceful place without any worry; well it would be only one... the one of remember everything; but it could be possible in a society as my dear Guatemala? Few days ago I visited a couple, they are two lovely old people (my heart has broken in two); he used to be a strong man when I met him long time ago, he was a very close friend of my father, I just can see that image on a picture;

he worked for the state those years when Guatemala was in dictator government, was a witness of our revolution process on 80s, he lived during the internal war until the government sign the peace on 96.. Nothing of that strength is now reflected on him, he´s an old man that just wait for a little support from the state monthly, he´s sick, and the only thing who bright there in that simple house is his hope of have his daily food and that simple happiness that share with his wife... I don´t know which would be mine (future), days are gone, and sometimes I

realized that I've been just living day by day and I forget about all the effort and

courage needed when you dream; sometimes I used

to think about nothing and that all!

Is it For sure if you fight and make your best effort for your future day after day,... would be that what you will have further? I just want to make a difference... I don´t want to be just one more who just go with the flow... and never have time to stop, think, wish and do more!! Now, what do you aspire in your life? What about your dreams and goals that moves you every day? Norma López FUNDATED

First I would like to start with the most important concepts in the title, the first opportunities; what is an opportunity? it is a favorable circumstance that occurs at the perfect time to do something that is desired or not expected but happened. And what is development? It is the progress or growth of a person, thing, or country. But, Is Guatemala a country where development opportunities for youth can be? Guatemala is a rich and diverse country, multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual, How a country like this could have any opportunities, unfortunately the existence of opportunities for all people in the country are rare, but this doesn´t mean that this situation cannot change. It is already changing; the majority of young people are looking for these opportunities, development opportunities, to be better people and to live in a better country. In order to be the improvement of the country.

Now nobody wants to get stuck in the only thing they known, we want to transcend, I include myself as part of the change we want in our country, part of the improvement of the country is to find these development opportunities that we are both talking about. So you have to start breaking that chain of discrimination and inequality that exists within the country. Being united, being nationalist, loving our culture, loving our country, finding that unity is how we will be able to find the correct development path that the country needs, that the Guatemalan people need. I think that those barriers that doesn’t let us see beyond ethnic, language or the appearance now is being breaking, anyone within the country could become an astronaut, a correct President who change the course

of the country, a new inventor that makes the country generate and grow, but to find these people we should give them opportunities, We must give them motivation to have the conviction and desire to be the change.

Everything should start from children, children are like sponges that absorb

everything and look to the future without fear, but not all children have the

opportunity to go to school, sometimes it's because money, sometimes it is

because parents prefer that they work and help in the House instead of having

education, or also the children that can go to school but they are not feed properly

and the teachers by ignorance, they think these children are able to do everything

but they are not; what is happening is that they do not have sufficient energy to at

least get concentrated. Everything must start here, with children, with their

innocence and purity, with their big dreams and great imagination. I believe that

everyone must be like children,

we must dream big in order to

create opportunities for those who

have them further. Development

in our country opportunities exist,

but we have to look for them, we

cannot just waiting for others to

find them by us, we have to be

agents of change, we must start

with ourselves but we must also

ensure the well-being of our

country, put the name of

Guatemala on the top, My

Guatebella, My Guatemaya…

Andrea Pivaral 7ª. Phase SPOR South-South FUNDATED

GUATEMALAN TEENAGER 2013

Broadly we can say that Guatemala is a 20 year average young, not studying but

works, being this an informal job, and if fortunately get one formal his "first

employment" he gets it via a friend or because of a contact (a friend or family

member) due to the lack of offers and high demand of work, but we have to let him

in an informal one. Their education; he has just finished high-school, and very

hardly he can apply to a Public State College because of his poor education and

he knows a little of how to use a computer, and without easy internet access, when

he has it, he only knows how access into Facebook. His free time is spent reading

newspapers, magazines, watching TV, practicing sports, listening music or radio,

and almost never in a cultural and artistic events. He has more confidence in his

school, Church, than his own Congress and government being these public

servants.

Yes, there is a hostile environment for the development of Guatemalan youth to

advance with their own life plans and scope of economic autonomy, having the

youth to deal with the unemployment, informality and violence; where some

children and young people have just the basic services such as education, health,

food and sanitation, being these fundamental for a good development. The fact

that Guatemala is considered as a youth country is because the 70% of the

Guatemalan population is under 30 years old.

Education is essential for the growth of youth development being covered before

the basic services such as health and nutrition. Through education we learn to

know and do, allowing the personal development, make decisions regarding life

and be more intellectually independent, being eligible to qualify for formal

employment. Employment opportunities can be improved by attracting foreign

investment, the demographics that exist in the country; there are many young

assets to work, being this an advantage.

Bernabé Flores 7va. Phase SPOR South-south FUNDATED

Youth, is a very important stage in every human's life, since it is a stage where important decisions are made for the whole life, it is a stage in which is very difficult to make decisions and, unfortunately, in our country Guatemala, there is no development opportunity for youth because there are no programs specially made for teenagers. Overcoming opportunities are limited and if you want to succeed, it is necessary to be well prepared; but, there is no quality education in our country, if it is, it is too expensive and only rich people can afford it, they have better development opportunities because they can get more prepared, unfortunately, our government authorities only want their own benefit and economic interests and they do not work to create programs for the youth, helping them to improve their conditions, there are no employment opportunities, this forces the teenagers to join "gangs" as their only way to survive. We see this reflected in the news every day, we see that our youth is increasingly joining these negative groups in the society, they need to join them, they feel like they finally pertain to something, they try to get some respect and admiration, this is besides seeing the situation as an easiest way to get some money, even if they have to kill, losing their principles and values; when they try to integrate back to the society, they are rejected by their past record and their stained bodies. There is not enough investment for youth programs, it is not enough for everyone,

it is only for one part of the society and we have to take into consideration that the

most productive age in our country is when we are young. As citizens, it is

necessary and important that we demand more programs for the youth, education,

recreation, principles and values and some other rights we have like to demand

investment in guatemalan youth, since teenagers are capable to do a lot of

important things and they fight for what they want, they are the future and it is the

only way to have a better country.

Astrid Herrarte

FUNDATED

PEKU-PEKU FRIENDS Amigos Peku Peku is a non-profit organization, is comprised of volunteers who believe in a better Guatemala. Integrated by participants of the program SPOR. The focus of Amigos Peku Peku is work with the children; where a diagnosis is made in order to offer them an efficient service and the covering the corresponding needs of each community. The current target population is in the village Chixolis in Santiago Sacatepéquez. During three years the population has being supported, in the following areas: problems of aggression, values and believes, care of the environment, violence, personal hygiene, theatre, etc. As the time has passed have been changes in the community; although we are aware that the results of this work will give fruits in long and medium term. The integration of friends Peku Peku, goes beyond working with the population; It is also building a strong circle of friendship and the enrichment of it, also to feel part of the family of Amigos Peku Peku.

SADLY YOUTH

The reality that currently is living the youth in Guatemala is sad and unfair. It is important to analyze the situation to find a solution to the opportunities for young people. Of them, it depends on the country making somewhere better to live. Guatemala is a country where more than half of the population lives in poverty or extreme poverty. 58% of the population is between 15-64 years old, 38% of the habitants between 0-14 years. The data indicate that a large number of people who live in the country, still depend on their parents or caregivers. However, due to poverty, the children must pass to be adults and look for a job to be able to eat. They are forced to survive without any other options. When they get to be teenagers many of them still cannot read or write because they had not the time to study. The few who do have the time to study but who live in conditions of poverty and inequality, receive a poor education that will not allow them to opt out of a well-paid job. When teenagers are under these conditions, they develop emotional problems, which make them go in search of security and love. Unfortunately, that seek, many times, they find it in being a gang and in the “maras” what turns young people into criminals and increasing violence in the country. How the future of the majority of the young people in Guatemala is shown is really horrible and with no development. In the other hand there are a number of young people and children that have access to a proper education and do not live in poverty. These young people graduate from school and are part of the 1% of the population that gets to start the College. It is important to mention that there are young people who despite of not having much money they seek to overcome and work to pay for their studies, making them part of this 1% also. The problem is that there is just a Public University in Guatemala. The Classrooms are overcrowded and are constantly carried out strikes and manifestations that closed the whole and paralyze the courses and classes. Young from private colleges often study something they do not like, but that they have to because their Dad or MOM suggested to study and they are the people who pay their studies. Young people graduate from the school and don't know where they are heading, but in many cases, parents are responsible of forcing them to study. Of course there are a few that they know what they want and manage to graduate from college with honors. And the future of Guatemala depends on these few that if we are lucky decided to stay to work here and make a better country.

Alejandra Zamora 7ª. Phase SPOR SOUTH-SOUTH

FUNDATED

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17th edition youth and developing opportunities

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