Category Archives: Mexico 2011

When Luis José was selected to become a GOJoven Fellow, he was 22 years old and worked as a volunteer for two years with the NGO Service, Sexuality Education and Health A.C. (SEEDSSA/ CHISPAS) in the area of communication and promotion. Part of his work included interviews with media, advocacy, and providing workshops with young people. Also, José Luis has organized a fashion show for HIV Prevention. José studied tourism administration in high school and has taken various diverse courses in ASRH. These courses included issues around masculinity, group work and raising awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights. His vision for the future includes having his own organization with departments of research, development, and health.

David works as a preventative health promoter, working for the international NGO, Population Services International (PSI). In this position, David carries out one-on-one interventions to promote abstinence, reduction of number of partners, and consistent condom use. He has received diverse training in ASRH and his interest is to provide group education to people with hearing disabilities. In the future, David would like to study to become a therapist and continue his training in sexual and reproductive health topics. Now, he specializes in computer sciences at the University “Técnico Superior.” When he became a GOJoven Fellow, David was 21 years old.

Karen is a leader that was 24 years old when she became a GOJoven Fellow. She works as a Youth Project Coordinator for the international NGO Save the Children. She began her work with young people, coordinating projects in low income areas. In her position, she leads adolescent work groups. Karen graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her short term goal is to complete a master’s degree in Human Psychology at the University La Salle Cancún. Her vision for the future is to work with youth to promote gender equity through sexual and reproductive rights. Also, she hopes to provide teaching and counseling for the Youth Space program.

Sandybel had been the Director for the Comprehensive Mental Health Center at the Secretary of Health, Mexico for three years when she was selected as a GOJoven Fellow. Furthermore, she has other important experience working with youth: she has been a representative for the College of Psychologists, worked with the Adolescent Health Promoters Group (GAPS), and provided training for a political group. Sandybel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University La Salle, Cancún and specializes in work with children, adolescents, and adults. Her vision for the future is to be promoted to a higher position at her agency. Sandybel desires to connect issues of ASRH with the work that she does currently. She desires to work on a project with sexual and reproductive health and mental health, providing essential workshops. She was 24 when she was selected to be a GOJoven Fellow.

Areli works at an NGO called Service, Sexuality Education, and Health (SEEDSSA/CHISPAS) as a general assistant. She has plans to create an educational magazine about ASRH issues since she believes it is a form of media the reaches everyone. She has her high school degree in computer science and she currently studies Marketing to obtain her bachelor’s degree. Her long term goals are to be a leader for future generations, strengthen her organization, and address “adultism” in society. Areli was 19 years old when she was selected as a GOJoven Fellow.

Ricardo is the youth coordinator for the NGO Red PositHIVa in Quintana Roo. He works as a volunteer in this position, creating educational materials, administrative activities, and facilitating workshops on sexual and reproductive health for adults and youth. Ricardo is considered the right hand for the Director of the organization and he is the one in charge while the Director is out of the office. His short term goal is to finish high school in CONALEP in Cancún and his long term goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Gastronomy or Psychology. He also has a goal to raise awareness and inform Quintana Roo’s youth about ASRH issues, HIV and STIs using a creative and entertaining approach. Ricardo was 19 years old when he was selected as a GOJoven Fellow.