Database: Honduras

José was 24 years old when he became a GOJoven Fellow.  He is finishing his university studies in Psychology at the Universidad Católica of Honduras.  He did his internship at the Metropolitan Health Unit, providing advice to men sent in for domestic violence, but he also sees women who are victims of violence. After he’s done studying, he would like to continue working in the fields of masculinity and SRH, since he has noticed that many young people in his city need to know more about these topics. He would like to know more about sexuality topics, because he believes it will help him boost his leadership. In his free time, José is the leader of a music group that plays rock pop.

Nery works in the Atlantic Coast Regional Delegation of the National Commission for Human Rights (CONADEH) in the promotion and training area, coordinating with different organizations that work in the areas of HIV/AIDS, human rights, and SRH. He is also a volunteer at the citizen observatory of the National AIDS forum. Nery is a dynamic leader, well known in his community for being responsible, resolute, and committed to empowering young people in different topics. He was 24 years old when he was invited to become a GOJoven Fellow.

Enil was 20 years old when he was selected as a GOJoven Fellow in 2012.  Before being hired two years ago as a promoter, he worked over five years as a volunteer for Rural Betterment in the program “Network of Youth in the Struggle to Building the Future”.  He works with volunteer networks in dangerous neighborhoods, using educational talks to teach several SRH topics to young people. Although this is not an easy task, Enil feels it’s a very important one. Enil is a person who enjoys supporting his community; he is open towards young people and knows how to motivate those around him.  He is currently studying Business Administration.  Enil wishes to learn to handle the media, to speak in public, and to write proposals.  His long-term goal is to run projects for young people in high risk situations.

Yarlene was 18 years old when she was selected, and she was one of the youngest Fellows in the GOJoven program in 2012. She has been working over 7 years as a volunteer in a youth program at the Red Cross, providing training workshops for young people from different educational institutions in the city of La Ceiba. Yarlene has formed a wide network of young people who are educated on climate change and SRR topics. As a Fellow, she wishes to strengthen her knowledge on sexually transmitted infections (STI) and improve her communication abilities. Yarlene has completed high school, and in the short term she hopes to enroll in college to study Psychology.

Yillian is the director of the Corozal Theater and Dance Group, and manages a recycling and solid waste management project.  As a university intern in Graphic Design, she acted as a facilitator in sexual and reproductive health and performing arts topics in 36 Garifuna communities along the Atlantic coast of Honduras. Yilian is fluent in Spanish and Garifuna. Once she finishes her studies, she would like to work in STI and HIV/AIDS prevention with young people, combining her experience in theatrical and youth topics. Yillian was 26 years old when she started with GOJoven.

Yamileth was 24 years old when she started as a GOJoven Fellow.   She has a certificate in human development and is finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Law at the Universidad Tecnológica of Honduras. She works with the Unit for Women and Families’ Integral Development (UDIMUF) training young people in these topics. Yamileth belongs to the Law School Student Association at her university, and is an active participant at her Church and with the Youth Against Violence movement.  This young leader enjoys the recognition from her community as an empowered woman that obtains very good results in her work.  Her long-term goal is to create an organization that works with women and young people in human rights and SRH topics.

Sarahi works as a volunteer for the Youth Red Cross, coordinating camps for young people.  Furthermore, she is the volunteer educator for the governmental organization National Commission for Human Rights (CONADEH).  In this position, she works on cases of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and helps women and young people facing legal issues from situations of domestic violence.  At 20 years of age, Sarahi was selected as a GOJoven Fellow and had five years of professional experience.  She currently studies computer sciences in the University of Education, and in the future she wants to become an established professional working in issues around HIV/AIDS and human rights, among others.  For Sarahi, “The important thing is not to just to gain knowledge, but to share knowledge in order to create a multiplying effect.”

María Ursula is an auxiliary nurse that works at the health center in Guacamaya, Gualala, focusing her work on preventing teenage pregnancies through use of contraception.  She works with the Patronage of Guacamaya.  María Ursula’s specialization is Public Health, and she wants to finish her bachelor’s degree in nursing.  Her vision for the future is to create a space within the health center where both girls and boys can obtain information about ASRH to prevent the high rate of teenage pregnancies.  María says that “the most important quality of a leader is to be responsible,” and she considers herself to be a very responsible young person.  She was 23 years old when she was selected to be a Fellow.

Osman graduated from high school with a specialization in agriculture.  Presently he studies business management in Santa Bárbara, and has much interest to continue studying Rural Development.  He was 26 years old when he was selected as a GOJoven Fellow.  Osman is the youth coordinator of the NGO Santa Bárbara Development Association (ADASBA) where he works tirelessly with youth in six municipalities, training them to become trainers for other youth in the community.  He trains them in human rights and sexual and reproductive health, among other issues.  Osman sees himself as a consultant in the future or managing an NGO to advance issues that effect youth.  This leader believes he was born to “help his community.”

Yordin works as a volunteer coordinator at the Colinas Area Development Association (ADACOL) and as a secretary for the Youth Municipal Committee.  He also works as a volunteer with the Catholic Church and the Santa Cruz Colinas Library, where he hosts a reading circle for children.  This young leader was 19 years old when he was selected as a GOJoven Fellow.  Yordin says, “I enjoy teaching and training and am passionate about working with young people.”  His passion stands out in his volunteer work to improve his village, the library, the youth ministry and ADACOL.  Yordin completed a high school degree in sciences and art, with his long term goal being to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in education with a focus in natural sciences.  After graduating, he wants to work in an organization to improve his community, focusing on ASRH issues and working with youth.