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In Memory of David Efrén López (1982-2010)

GOJoven — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:08:29 +0000

We remember our brother David with much love and hope we can replicate his example as an inexhaustable source of ideas, passion and leadership in our lives. A brilliant light of a human being like David never goes out- he will shine forever in our lives and in the hearts of everyone touched by his kindness, passion, bravery and his strength.

Cinthia Sagrario Interian Varguez

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:52:56 +0000

Cinthia Sagrario Interian Varguez is 21 years-old youth leader who is studying language and culture at the Intercultural Mayan University of Quintana Roo. As an active member of a youth ministry group, she has extensive community mobilization experience, including facilitating community meetings; program development and implementation; and conflict resolution. Cinthia has counseled youth on various SRH topics, including gender violence prevention, addiction and personal development. She was selected to participate in a regional Latin American youth congress, Espacio 2010, which focused on identifying and coming up possible solutions to the social issues young people in the region. Cinthia’s long-term goal is to study abroad for her Master’s Degree and become a professor at the Intercultural University.

Gladys Maribel Puc Castillo

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:52:18 +0000

Gladys Maribel Puc Castillo is a 19-year old student studying municipal management at the Intercultural Mayan University of Quintana Roo. This active youth leader has served as student representative for 2 semesters and as a member of an evaluation committee for new academic personal at her university. She has worked in various community projects, including directing community improvement project when she was in high school. Gladys is especially interested in public policy work. Her goal is obtain a Doctorate Degree and develop evidence based sexual reproductive health programs in her community.

Julio César Morales Ek

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:51:38 +0000

Julio César Morales Ek is a 22 year-old student studying alternative tourism at the Intercultural Mayan University of Quintana Roo. He is a passionate environmentalist whose would like to start up an environmental youth camp that includes SRH topics. He is an active member of the student council and member of the university’s environmental group. As a member of youth group, Youth Voices for Youth, he facilitated various trainings on sexual and reproductive health. His personal goal is to gain the skills he needs to help youth in his community and to grow as a person. One of Julio’s passions is studying traditional medicine. He is a member of a bird watching and like to run and extreme sports, including rappel, zipline and kayaking.

Zuemy Beatriz (Betty) Alvarado Caamal

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:50:28 +0000

Zuemy Beatriz (Betty) Alvarado Caamal, a 27 year-old student at the Intercultural Mayan University of Quintana Roo, is currently working on Bachelor’s Degree in Mayan Language and Culture. She works at a rehabilitation center where she is an assistant auxiliary physical therapist. She is active community organizer who has trained women on various SRH topics, especially family planning methods. Betty has experience in community mobilization through the use of media; group facilitation; and program development. She would like to develop and implement adolescent SRH programs that help youth develop the life skills they need to make informed decisions and have healthy relationships.

Santos Rene Fuentes

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:49:37 +0000

Santos Rene Fuentes, a 22 year-old student at the Intercultural Mayan University of Quintana Roo, is studying the engineering agroecological systems of production. He has worked on several community projects, including resource management projects. Santos taught classes in SRH while in high school. Through his community work he has developed his negotiation and community mobilization skills. He would like to teach the youth in the community about the connections between protecting the environment and sexual and reproductive health. As a dedicated community advocate, his goal is to work in public service and raise the awareness of youth. Santos worked for the Kellogg’s Foundation for 2 years taking photographs of the problems local communities faced and presenting them to decision makers. His goal is to study internationally for a master’s degree.

Carlos Ivan Can Estrella

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:49:07 +0000

Carlos Ivan Can Estrella is a 27 year-old program coordinator for Youth Space, an artisan center for youth. He facilitates discussion groups with youth on various topics, including SRH. He would like to expand his program so that it includes a retail space where youth can sell their crafts. This active youth leader has experience starting up community association groups and in proposal writing. Carols believes that youth in his community need to be taught SRH because they are particularly vulnerable to STI’s since a lot of them have to leave the community to find work in the tourist areas. Carlos has a Master’s Degree in Social Anthropology, his goal is to continue his education and get a Doctorate Degree.

Griselda María Martínez Padilla

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:48:01 +0000

Griselda María Martínez Padilla is a 29-year-old Misquita activist who works for the quasi-governmental National Human Rights Commission as an educator and promoter of human rights. Griselda has an Associate’s Degree in Social Work and has worked on human rights campaigns dedicated to helping people living with HIV/AIDS in some of the poorest regions of Honduras. As a bilingual Spanish/Misquito speaker, she works closely with indigenous communities and organizations on population development and advocacy. Griselda has a strong drive to help her community through education and job creation. She believes that youth in her community need to be empowered to talk freely about SRH which is still a taboo subject.

Wendy Jamileth Bermúdez Brown

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:47:20 +0000

Wendy Jamileth Bermúdez Brown is a 25-year-old Misquita auxiliary nurse who works in the Puerto Lempira Health Center and surrounding communities. She has worked on numerous SRH campaigns in the area and has been able to achieve her goal of reaching even the most isolated communities. She has extensive experience working in HIV/AIDS prevention and SRH education. She volunteers with the local municipal government where she trains youth on SRH. Wendy is a bilingual Spanish/Misquito speaker who is dedicated to acquiring the necessary skills to help youth prevent unwanted pregnancies in her community. She would like to implement SRH programs that use best practices and model programs in order to address the gaps in services that exist in the Mosquitia region.

Silvia Xiomara García Méndez

GOJoven — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:46:41 +0000

Silvia Xiomara García Méndez is a 23-year-old Mestiza teacher who has taught at the high school Centro de Educación Básica for three years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education. Silvia is dedicated to teaching her students about family planning and advising them on how to prevent pregnancies. Xiomara, a native of the Mosquitia region, is fluent in Misquito. She believes that children should be taught SRH at an early age, especially in her community where adolescent pregnancy is very common. Her short-term goal is to facilitate workshops on sexuality, pregnancy prevention and healthy sexual practices to adolescent Misquita girls. Xiomara is truly committed to working with youth and her main objective is to increase educational opportunities for her students. Her long-term goal is to acquire a Masters Degree and return to the Mosquitia region to continue working with youth on health issues.