Octaciano (Chano) Benegas Galeas

Octaciano (Chano) Benegas Galeas was 22 years old when he became a GOJoven fellow, and is a creative and dedicated leader from Tocoa.  Chano has a high school degree in Business Administration and is currently studying Management and Social Development at the local university. In high school, Chano was a member of a student environmental group organized by the International Municipal Environmentalists. He has also been involved in numerous social projects in Tocoa, such as designing and implementing a housing program for the elderly and working with Medicos del Mundo (World Doctors).  His work as an environmental leader has inspired him to work with other young people in Sexual and Reproductive Health issues.  Chano feels many young people in his community use drugs, alcohol, and unsafe sex as a defense mechanism to issues around poverty and high unemployment.  Preventing the spread of the HIV is very important to Chano, as it has effected his family.  Chano has plans to continue being a leader that increases HIV prevention among young people.  His dream is to establish a youth center where he can offer emotional and psychological support to youth who are dealing with these difficult issues in their families.