gojoven.org ENGLISH » Guatemala 2006

Saul Pauu Maaz

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:40:49 +0000

Saul Pauu Maaz, a 26-year-old indigenous Q’eqchi’ Mayan leader, is currently finishing his BA in Pedagogy and Educational Sciences and teaching these topics to teachers-in-training in the Bi-lingual High School in the rural town of Sayaxché, Petén, Guatemala. He recently completed working on the bi-lingual radio novella “Entre dos Caminos-Sa’xxaallib’e” (Between Two Paths) for Fundación ProPetén, where he was responsible for adapting, narrating and developing the Q’eqchí version of this popular radio show including writing the show and directing the Q’eqchí actors. In the show, Saul focused on social and health topics of importance to Petén communities such as reproductive health, family planning, STIs, including HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive rights, and prevention of gender based violence. Saul is highly committed to raising the awareness of the indigenous and ladino Petén population in areas of environment and gender equity through radio broadcasting and training. He worked for many years for Asociación de Servicios Comunitarios de Salud (ASECSA) Region Petén training health promoters and midwives in the Adult Education Program, and participated in ASECSA’s National Gender Commission focusing on gender equality from a holistic perspective. In 2007, Saul launched his campaign for mayor of Sayaxché, and although he was not elected, he plans to continue a career in politics. As a Summit Fellows in GOJoven, Saul hopes to improve his existing skills in developing, implementing and evaluating programs as well as hone his writing skills to create new radio programs that integrate sexual and reproductive health, interculturalism and the challenges of globalization.

Escuela Normal Bilingüe Intercultural ENBIS

José Roberto Luna Manzaneros

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:40:23 +0000

Jose Roberto Luna Manzaneros, selected as a Summit Fellow at the age of 22, has been working in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights since the age of 12. Jose Roberto currently coordinates the youth component of the government’s National Program for Sexual and Reproductive Health. He is a talented trainer and created the National Intersectoral Commission on Comprehensive Youth and Adolescent Health Services to advocate for young people’s sexual and reproductive rights. Jose Roberto has also been very involved in his community, acting as the youth group coordinator for his Church in the Petén. He is currently studying Psychology at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala and hopes to open a youth clinic in the Petén that will support the psychological needs of young people in the region. Since becoming a Summit Fellow, Jose Roberto has begun working as an advisor for the National Program on AIDS and as Technical Assistant in Public Policy and is an active member of Incidejoven, a national network of youth activists in Guatemala.

Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, Salud Integral a la Niñez y Adolescencia

Juana Esther Barajas Vasquez

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:38:49 +0000

Juana Esther Barajas Vasquez, was the youngest Summit Fellow thus far, selected at age 18. At this young age, she managed to capture the interest and become well loved by adolescents, youth and adults through her role as Elena in the Radio Novela “Between Two Roads”, a program of Asociación Tan Uxil, a reproductive health education center for youth. Working with the non-governmental environment and population organization ProPetén, she shares her personal passion to fight against HIV/AIDS. Esther is dedicated to communication and has worked in over five radio stations in Petén, integrating HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) prevention messages. She has participated as a volunteer with the Red Cross on SRH issues and is currently finishing her studies to become a teacher. Since becoming a Fellow, Esther has begun working as an Educator and Manager in Asociación Tan Uxil and continues her work as a radio actress. Thanks to the Summit Educational Scholarship, Esther has begun her Bachelors Degree in Clinical Psychology at the Universidad Mariano Galvez, a private university in Guatemala.

Escuela Normal Rural No.5 “Prof. Julio Edmundo Rosado Pinelo”