Meet the Fellows!
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Documents and downloads for Fellows.Rubén Leonardo Pineda Méndez
Rubén Leonardo Pineda Méndez became a Summit Fellow at age 25 and works as accountant and office manager for the Puerto Barrios office of Association Gente Nueva, a national non-profit organization focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. As a junior high school student Rubén participated in a Red Cross project focused on family planning and HIV prevention, replicating what he learned in schools throughout Izabal. Rubén is currently the treasurer of the Izabal Network to Prevent STIs and HIV, which works closely with the Izabal Health Department. A strong advocate for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, Ruben hopes to continue in this field and to develop an ornamental fish business to help provide for their economic self-sufficiency.
Asociación Gente Nueva, Puerto Barrios
Marta Honoria Castillo
Marta Honoria Castillo is a 26-year-old visionary young Garifuna leader working as a trainer in the Association of Garifuna Women of Guatemala. In this capacity, she advocates for the rights and health of Garifuna people throughout the Izabal District. Marta served for two years as President of the Youth and Children Parliament of Guatemala. She has training and experience in conflict resolution, teamwork, community development and HIV/AIDS. She completed two years of university studies in Business Administration and recently obtained a professional certificate in Political Leadership and Human Rights in Honduras. Through her participation in the 2003 Afro-Central American Youth Forum, Marta became recognized as a leader of her people at the national and international levels. She hopes to become an international advocate for laws and polices that support women, strengthen organizations and empower youth.
Asociación de Mujeres Garifunas Guatemaltecas (ASOMUGAGUA)
Fanny Martinez
Fanny Martinez became a Fellow at age 23. She has worked as a Community Nurse’s Aide in Bella Vista village since the year 2000. Fanny assists at the health center, visits clients and prepares and implements projects for youth groups in Bella Vista and surrounding villages. Given the high prevalence of HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections in the area, she has prioritized prevention in her outreach to youth, and urges both youth and adults to use condoms. She also works closely with the local schools and churches to ensure that young people become more knowledgeable about pregnancy prevention and sexual and reproductive health. Fanny hopes to eventually seek further education in nursing so that she can better serve her community.
Clinica National Health Insurance
Pedro Witz
Pedro Witz was 19 years old when he became a Summit Fellow. At age four he immigrated from Puerto Barrios Guatemala to Punta Gorda, Belize. Pedro has worked at Earth Watch Institute and the Social Investment Fund, and volunteered with the Belize Women’s Department and Toledo Mayan Woman’s Council. He is a leader at his Adventist Reform Church, where he runs a program for children and youth. Pedro is highly committed to youth development and has excellent communication skills and a great sense of leadership. Pedro holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Belize in Punta Gorda. He hopes to work in a position where he can “give back to society.” Pedro is interested in educating his community about sexual and reproductive health, and hopes to expand this work to the Toledo District and beyond.
University of Belize
Saira Gutierrez
Saira Gutierrez became a Summit Fellow at age 24. Saira worked for four years as a teacher and vice principal at a primary school in Bella Vista, a poor Spanish-speaking village created 10 years ago to house Central American immigrants working on the banana plantations. Under Saira’s direction, school staff provide workshops on sexual and reproductive health to students. Saira is also a leader in the Bella Vista Catholic youth group, which provides workshops on sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, in collaboration with the local health center. She is a role model and informal counselor to the youth in her community, who face many health and development challenges. Saira loves teaching and is also interested in studying health in the future.
Our Lady of Bella Vista R.C. School
Sharon Tillett Lucas
Sharon Tillett Lucas became a Summit Fellow at age 24. She has taught at the St. Peter Cleaver Roman Catholic Primary School in Punta Gorda for seven years. She has worked as a volunteer with the AIDS Task Force of the Ministry of Health. Sharon is dedicated to young people and is able to have a direct impact on children and the administration at the largest school in the Toledo District, as well as within her community. Sharon is passionate about working with children and is currently pursing her associate’s degree in Primary Education. Her long-term goal is to work with children with special needs or those in especially difficult circumstances.
Saint Peter Claver Román Catholic Primary School
Rodolfo Moo Chi
Rodolfo Moo Chi, 28 years old when he became a Summit Fellow, was the sole team member from Felipe Carrillo Puerto. He recently completed his degree in business administration. Rodolfo’s innate leadership skills, commitment to the youth of his community, and his past experience working at the local youth and health centers illustrate his capacity to initiate change. Rodolfo recognizes that machismo, particularly in the Mayan community, can have negative reproductive health outcomes, including early and unwanted pregnancies. He hopes through the GOJoven program to begin to change attitudes regarding gender roles in Quintana Roo. Already well connected in the Mayan community, Rodolfo has long-term plans of entering politics. Currently Rodolfo works as a Health Assistant at the Municipal Health Department in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.
Direccion Salud Municipal de Carillo Puerto
José Francisco Ponce Ramos
José Francisco Ponce Ramos
Coming Soon
Silvia Muñoz Monte
Silvia Muñoz Monte tenía 26 años cuando se hizo Becario Summit y trabajaba como enfermera con el Departamento de Salud. También prestaba sus servicios voluntariamente en la clínica de la Cruz Roja en Chetumal. Durante sus seis años trabajando en la región, ha trabajado en comunidades rurales dando pláticas y talleres sobre varios temas de salud incluyendo la nutrición y sexualidad. Reconoce la necesidad tremenda en estas comunidades para más información sobre la salud reproductiva, para poder disminuir la tasa de matrimonios jóvenes, violencia en la familia y sex sin protección. Silvia piensa seguir aprendiendo y posiblemente entrando en la política en el futuro. Actualmente trabaja con la clínica de la Cruz Roja en México D.F..
Cruz Roja Mexicana y Secretaria de Salud
Oscar Moreno Castillo
Oscar Moreno Castillo, 23-years-old upon receipt of the Summit Fellowship, is the Coordinator of Centro Interactivo Poder Joven, a youth development center sponsored by the Quintana Roo Youth Commission. In this capacity, he reaches out to young people in Chetumal, managing centers that provide teens with sports and educational opportunities to develop their own leadership potential. Interested in exploring and reconnecting with his Mayan heritage, Oscar spent the past few years working at the Poder Joven Center in Felipe Carillo Puerto before he was promoted to his current position as Coordinator of the project. He is deeply committed to working with young people and demonstrates a unique degree of maturity, confidence, and experience. Oscar currently works as a motorcycle Sales Agent for Motopass Rent Motocicletas Vento U.S.A..
Centro Interactivo Poder Joven
GOJoven's Mission
GOJoven promotes and supports young leaders to act as catalysts for social change in Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health. Read more here
Leadership Action Plans
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