FORMER GANG YOUTH SEEK BETTER LIFE THROUGH

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002206

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/CAM KATYA SIENKIEWICZ

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM SNAR SOCI EAID PHUM KJUS KDEM GT
SUBJECT: FORMER GANG YOUTH SEEK BETTER LIFE THROUGH
USG-FUNDED ASSISTANCE PROGRAM



1. On October 30, USAID, in collaboration with the major
private sector organization CACIF, launched the second phase
of its Youth Alliance Program's "Desafio 100: Peace for
Guatemala" pilot project for former gang youth. This
innovative project paired 44 young former gang members with
32 local business owners to provide vocational training and
practical job experience. The first phase of the project was
launched in December 2006 with 53 former gang youth and 49
business owners.


2. The USG-funded Youth Alliance Program develops projects
aimed at reducing the level of juvenile delinquency,
deterring youth from joining gangs, motivating young gang
members to leave their gangs, and improving the capability of
communities to provide security and economic alternatives to
youth. Recognizing the inability of the justice sector to
effectively control gang criminal activity, it seeks to solve
the problem of youth violence through alliances among the
private sector, government, churches, and citizens at the
local and national levels.


3. The Youth Alliance Program's "Desafio 100" project
provides employment opportunities to 100 former gang youth
who were carefully screened and selected from more than 300
youth after a series of interviews and tests, and
verification that they were not involved in any pending
criminal proceedings. "Desafio 100" was an expansion of
"Desafio 10," a reality show that challenged a group of 10
young former gang members to transform themselves into
micro-entrepreneurs in 14 days. CACIF President Carlos
Zuniga mentored the group, and more than 28 local business
owners participated.


4. At the ceremony launching the second phase of "Desafio
100," Chamber of Industry Director Thomas Dougherty
highlighted CACIF's commitment to providing employment
opportunities to help find a peaceful solution to societal
violence in Guatemala. He said that the majority of the
first group of 53 were still working in their assigned jobs.
USAID Deputy Director Rose Rakas praised the courage of the
business owners and former gang members who undertook risks
to participate in the project, and encouraged the government,
private sector, and civil society to continue supporting
efforts to help rebuild the lives of former gang youth.


5. Comment: "Desafio 100" has been a successful model in
facilitating rehabilitation and reintegration of former gang
members, and restoring dignity by providing employment
opportunities that allow former gang members to rebuild their
lives and become productive members of society.
Derham