Meet the Fellows!
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Documents and downloads for Fellows.Wilson Rigoberto Norales
Wilson Rigoberto Norales, selected at age 23 is an experienced Garifuna sexual and reproductive health educator and human rights advocate from Livingston. He has facilitated trainings in human rights, discrimination, racism, HIV and democracy for both local organizations and the Guatemalan government. He is awaiting the results of a proposal he submitted to UNESCO that would create employment, education and health opportunities for youth in Izabal. Wilson has a high school diploma in computers and was a seminary student in Nicaragua in 2006. He plans to begin studying psychology at a local university early in 2009.
Abigail Ortiz Dubon
Abigail Ortiz Dubon was selected at age 18 when she was still in high school. The Ladina woman is a member of a local Mayan cultural association, where she has participated in workshops on leadership, conflict resolution, self-esteem, the environment and HIV/AIDS. She is very interested in environmental protection and the importance of sexual and reproductive health in maintaining the balance between human population and nature. Abigail hopes to strengthen her knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, particularly HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning and adolescent pregnancy prevention, in order to influence youth in her community to practice healthy sexual behaviors.
Elder Eduardo Ventura
Elder Eduardo Ventura, selected at age 19 is a Ladino high school teacher at his family’s private school in Rio Dulce. While the school does not have a sex education curriculum, Elder has researched sexuality and reproductive health on his own and shares this information with his students in the hope of reducing the high rates of adolescent pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, school desertion and single motherhood in the region. He is an intern at a local radio station in Rio Dulce, where he hopes to create a sex education radio program geared toward youth. Elder is completing a BA in Humanities at the University of San Carlos in nearby Morales.
Edgar Anival de Leon
Edgar Anival de Leon, who was selected at the age of 19, is a Q’eqch’i’ Mayan volunteer of the Grupo de Jovenes Jesus, which works to prevent teen pregnancy by encouraging abstinence and healthy sexual behavior. He participates in the leadership training activities of a Mayan cultural association and has volunteered with the HIV prevention and anti-discrimination projects of the local Red Cross. He is a passionate advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention, and is eager to study sexual and reproductive health and share this information with other youth in his rural community. He is completing his third year of high school and plans to pursue a BA in Pedagogy upon graduation.
Flor de Maria Cordón
Flor de Maria Cordón runs information, education and communication programs for youth at the government health center in Los Amates. Selected at age 26, Flor is a young Ladina woman, with significant experience working with children and youth, first as a primary school teacher and principal, then as an educator for the Department of Social Projects of the Office of the First Lady. She is a member of the Council for Community Development in Quirigua and volunteers with Plan International to develop and fundraise for projects in her community. She has trained health promoters and midwives in rural communities and will soon graduate with a BA in Social Work.
Dennis Castillo
Dennis Castillo selected at age 20, is a Garifuna from Livingston. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Livingston Garifuna Youth Group, which works to improve the lives of young people in the area. Since the age of 15, Dennis has participated in numerous groups working in the areas of HIV, human rights and political participation. He led, for example, a group that provided recreational activities for young people with the goal of reducing drug abuse and commercial sex work. Dennis recently graduated from high school and plans to begin his university studies in law, after which he plans to become mayor of Livingston.
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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