Category Archives: Guatemala 2011

Juan Reinaldo was 22 years old when he was selected as a GOJoven Fellow. Presently, Juan works as a Youth Specialist in the Youth Sustainable Development Association, focusing his work on an organizational strengthening project in the Department of Youth Affairs of Huehuetenango (CODEJUVEH), where he was president and founder. He is currently the main representative for the Youth Association FUNDESCO. Juan Reinaldo graduated as a teacher in elementary education and has studied law for two semesters. His short term goal is to obtain a degree in law and notary at the University of Rafael Landivar. His vision for the future is to improve the livelihood of youth through his work at youth agencies of Huehuetenango. Juan has received different trainings in adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) and supports the process of advocacy to improve ASRH for youth in his region.

Sara had more than eight years working at the Women’s Integral Development Association (AFDI) when she was selected as a GOJoven Fellow. She began her work at AFDI as a member, then with a position as treasurer, and is now the president and legal representative of the organization. Sara also works as a trainer for the National Women’s Forum, where she facilitates workshops with groups of women and youth from various communities, and high schools in Huehuetenango. Presently, she is working to carry out a project for survivors of domestic violence in collaboration with the National Organization for Prevention of Domestic Violence (CONAPREVI) and the Women’s Advisory Department of Development (CODEDEH) in Huehuetenango. Her goal is to support women’s and youth groups in ways to prevent and eradicate sexual violence. Sara has her high school degree in computer studies and her goal is to gain an undergraduate degree in social work. Sara Beatriz was selected as a GOJoven Fellow when she was 28 years old.

Juan works as a volunteer for the Office of Youth, Adolescent, and Childhood Affairs in the municipality of Aguacatan, Huehuetenango (COMNAJUA). In this position, Juan works as a workshop facilitator on different issues such as sexual and reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, and family planning. This young leader was president of the Board of Directors for a Catholic youth group and coordinator of the group, “Youth Connection” in Aguacatan. Juan is trained as an intercultural, bilingual elementary school teacher. His plan is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education, with a focus in psychology, to help him achieve his professional goal of working as a teacher in the Ministry of Education. There he hopes to teach classes to children and adolescents, and incorporate sexual and reproductive health topics in the curriculum. Juan was 20 years old when he was selected as a GOJoven Fellow.

Jorge was 24 years old and had more than five years of experience working with the NGO, Teen Challenge Association Huehuetenango (ASDEJUVEH) when he was selected as a GOJoven Fellow in 2011. He is now working toward his undergraduate degree in criminology at the University of Mariano Gálvez. His long term goal is to continue his studies to obtain a doctorate degree. Jorge works as a radio broadcaster for the local station “Súper FM” in Huehuetenango, where he looks forward to hosting programs that focus on social issues impacting youth and improve their knowledge in sexual and reproductive health. This young leader wants work hard to raise youth awareness around family planning, prevention of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Jorge hopes to one day participate as a local representative for Huehuetenango, and through this work, support policies that improve SSR for youth and adolescents.  Furthermore, his dream is to successfully represent Guatemala politically in global affairs.

Martha is an indigenous bilingual leader, originally from Colotenango, Huehuetenango. She speaks both Spanish and Mam. Martha does field work for the NGO, Pop Noj, on the project, “Rural youth creating alternatives to emigration in Central America.” Through this project, she provides leadership workshops and strengths municipal youth commissions. One of the organizational goals is to create a Municipal Youth Affairs Office. Martha has training as a health promoter and an elementary school teacher. Her plans are to finish her “profesorado,” a specialized degree for secondary education, with a focus in pedagogy and social sciences. She was selected as a GOJoven Fellow when she was 24 years old.

Maria is a volunteer in the Municipal Women’s Affairs Office in Chiantla, Huehuetenango. In this position, she works to promote women’s sexual and reproductive health rights and literacy in her community. She has also participated in the organization “Mother Jungle” (Madre Selva) as facilitator of a workshop called “The Stars of Today,” that focused on young women living in rural Chiantla, Huehuetenango. This workshop covered issues around the environment, sexual and reproductive health, and healthy relationships. Maria’s dreams for her community are to end transmission of sexually transmitted infections and prevent teenage pregnancies. This young leader has achieved a basic level of education and her goal for the recent future is to pursue a career in medicine. Maria was 18 years old and was one of the youngest fellows when she first became involved in the GOJoven program.