Educate First-Generation Students in Honduras

Dear Friends,

We strongly believe in the transformative power of youth leading youth models and interventions. Thank you for your continued commitment and support to empower young leaders in Honduras.

We are proud to share that over the last year, four of our youth leaders were chosen by Canada World Youth to co-facilitate youth leadership conferences to promote gender equality and cultures of peace in Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. Later this year, they will be traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico to train 20 youth leaders, who will in turn replicate what they learned with youth in their communities.

One of this most important aspects of this kind of leadership - and all leadership, really - is identifying and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Like Anderson.

OYE first came into Anderson's life four years ago, when two of our youth leaders facilitated integral sexuality education workshops at his middle school. Seeing his potential from the beginning, Anderson was selected along with several of his peers to receive additional training and be part of the first generation of young leaders from his school.

Upon learning about OYE's diverse youth-led programs, Anderson became an activie participant in our youth-led communications program, OYE Comunica, where he developed his skills in photography and radio locution, among other key communicational skills.

Anderson is raised by a single mother and has three other siblings. Despite their lack of economic resources, Anderson's mother struggled and made sacrifices to keep her son in school. At the end of his 8th grade year, uncertain of whether or not he would be able to continue school the following year, Anderson applied and was awarded an OYE scholarship to continue his education.

Anderson is now in his final year of high school, where he studies computer science, and hopes to study Information Tecnology and Education at the national teaching university next year.

In his words: "In OYE, I have acquired values that I now practice daily: respect, tolerance and empathy. Thanks to OYE, I believe that I deserve more and that I am capable of going far, professionally and personally. Through workshops, I have developed the ability to express myself and share what I have learned with others. This skill has been recognized by one of my teachers, who asks me to lead discussion circles every Monday [in homeroom] on different topics, from contraceptive methods to unlearning 'macho' beheaviors."

These changes do not happen overnight. They are the result of intentional and sustained programming and support that is only possible because of the continued growth and generosity of our community.

Thank you for joining us in giving young people, like Anderson, hope and opportunity to pursue their dreams... and empowering them to be the change they want to see in their lives, families and communities.

In appreciation,
Amanda

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