Voices promotes youth leadership by supporting youth groups and activities. Our goal in doing so is simple, to prepare the next generation for their future roles as local, regional, or national leaders. Youth development is especially important as gang violence spreads throughout El Salvador, Central America and the U.S., and economic opportunities for youth become scarcer than ever. Youth groups help kids develop a sense of community responsibility and offer them a chance to develop skills that will serve them in their adult lives.

Currently we are supporting and organizing a number of initiatives such as:

Ciudad Romero Youth Group

In conjunction with the U.S. partner community in St. Paul, MN we are working with and supporting the activities of the youth group in Ciudad Romero. Voices staff work with the youth to identify their needs, plan activities, and write grant proposals to fund their activities. They've requested and received funding to fix up and furnish a youth community center and purchase games to host events.

Youth Historical Documentary Film Project

With support from the A.J Muste Memorial Institute, Voices and youth in the Lower Lempa developed a historical memory project to record the experiences of their fellow community members during the civil war of the 1980s. In addition to recording an important history to share with others, this project provides youth participants the opportunity to learn an important history from those that experienced it. In addition, the youth organized forums to view and discuss important documentary and films with their peers.

Lower Lempa Theatre Group

Now called JUNA, this very popular theatre group has received acclaim from around El Salvador as well as from the international groups. Made up of teenagers from the Lower Lempa, performs a series of shorts skits and acts that discuss social issues affecting youth in El Salvador. The themes of the skits range from HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, and teenage pregnancy, to the importance of school and the pressures of premarital sex. This year the group is planning to expand the topics it covers and perform for broader audiences.

MEBLE

Voices also supports MEBLE, a youth organization in the Lower Lempa that represents the region in national youth federations and gatherings, and engages in political and other activities. MEBLE develops and presents political platforms to inform politicians and elected officials where their younger constituents stand on specific issues. Voices and other organizations have worked with MEBLE to develop their organizational skills and ensure that they best represent youth in the region.

Cultural Exchanges

Voices is also financing an exchange between the youth in the Lower Lempa with youth in Morazán. Many families in the Lower Lempa are from Morazán and relocated during post-war resettlement. We are supporting this project so that the youth from both communities are better able to understand their roots and are exposed to different ideas and views.

If you would like to get involved in working with youth in the Lower Lempa or Morazán, or support our efforts, contact Thomas R. Hughes at voices@votb.org or (202) 529-2919.