ADESJU
Selvin Mauricio Ramos
Selvin Mauricio Ramos, 19 years old, dedicated until 2015 to work as a bricklayer assistant, currently a commercial radio announcer in his area, lives in the community called Exchimal Aguacatán municipality, department of Huehuetenango.
Selvin says that in 2011 Aguacatán municipality, young people had no space for participation, even in their community was starting to form a small gang that was dedicated to smoking and scaring people.
On one occasion, he and his young aunt took the initiative to organize a youth group in their community to find people who could accompany them and advise on issues important to the lives of young people in the community.
"My life has changed because I recognize that I am a young man with courage who can transmit positive messages to other young people" From that account she began to participate with other young people in an organization that later became consolidated as Municipal Coordinator of Children, Adolescence and Youth -COMNAJUA- and that for several years has been accompanied and strengthened by ADESJU.
When I did not participate in any space, Selvin says, I was a shy young man, even leaving school for several years because of poverty and the thought that going to the United States was the best option for me. When I started to participate in the project and I joined the Communication program, I realized that I have many qualities that I did not see before. Even the idea of going north I no longer have.
Before I did not even dare to say my name ahead of people, but now I love communication and participating in radio programs is one of the things I like to do.
My life has changed because I recognize that I am a young man with courage who can transmit positive messages to other young people, I respect women and I admire my mother for everything she does as a woman. Even now, although no one believes me, I help a lot in the offices of the house. If I were not participating in the projects, I would probably already be in the north or maybe I had many girlfriends or maybe I had already married.
The project allows me to train in the things I like, helps me to know things that I did not even know existed before, and especially, to participate in the project activities gives me the opportunity to transmit the messages to the youth of my community in the group We have in Exchimal.
I have changed thanks to my participation and the opportunity that ADESJU gives me to be part of the activities. I am a different person. Selvin has changed his way of thinking and seeing life. Influences other young people and through radio promotes the defense and recognition of the value of young women.