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