gojoven.org ENGLISH » Guatemala 2007

Sandra Marivel Pérez Pop

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:51:16 +0000

Sandra Marivel Pérez Pop became a Summit Fellow at age 18 and is a Mayan woman from Livingston, Izabal. Currently, she is a student of sustainable tourism at the Ak Tenamit Association. Sandra has three years of volunteer experience working on an AIDS prevention project using clown methodology. She travels with a group of clowns to rural communities and to Livingston to teach the population about the importance of HIV prevention. Recently, Sandra was invited and awarded a grant to represent Guatemala in an International Conference on Women and HIV in Kenya, Africa to share her experiences from Izabal. Sandra wants to continue to uncover in the field of counseling and community work on HIV and hopes to study psychology in the future.

Instituto Particular Mixto Ak´tenamit Instituto Ak ´tenmit

Blanca Estela Ical Bolóm

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:50:50 +0000

Blanca Estela Ical Bolóm became a Summit Fellow at age 18. She is studying her final year of high school in the Mayan Educational Institution Ak Tenamit, Izabal where she is focusing on sustainable tourism. A dynamic, proactive, indigenous Queqchí woman, Blanca is seen as a leader within her school and community. Passionate about health, she currently volunteers as a youth promoter in Ak Tenamit’s HIV Prevention Program. She is also a trained and practicing spiritual guide. Blanca has participated in numerous exchanges with other indigenous leaders from Belize and Mexico, and is interested in expanding her work with youth from other ethnic groups. She is extremely committed to her community and nature and is interested in studying medicine or nursing in the future.

Instituto Particular Mixto Ak´tenamit Instituto Ak ´tenmit

Rubén Leonardo Pineda Méndez

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:50:25 +0000

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

GOJoven — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:49:48 +0000

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)