Meet the Fellows!
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Documents and downloads for Fellows.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)
Saul Pauu Maaz
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
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
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”
Ana Silvia del Rosario Lopez Ixil
Ana Silvia del Rosario López Xil, an indigenous woman who works with Fundebase in the state of Chimaltenango, was 27 years old when she became a Summit Fellow. Ana Silvia is a strong and dynamic young leader who has overcome significant challenges to take on a management position with Fundebase, a large community-based organization. There, she coordinates a community health program, working with her staff to educate and train rural women on basic health, hygiene, and nutrition. She is eager to learn more about sexual and reproductive health so that she can share this information with the women in the villages where Fundebase works. Ana Silvia is currently finishing her degree in social work and is committed to continuing to work on health and development issues in indigenous communities within Guatemala.
FUNDEBASE
David Efren López López
David Efren López López was selected as a Summit Fellow at age 23 and is an incredibly charismatic, committed, and accomplished young leader. He has a long list of achievements and already began his own organization focused on health and education. Until recently, David worked as the Program Coordinator of Gente Nueva, an important institution in Guatemala working on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and advocacy. David lives in Guatemala City and is involved in several health, advocacy, and HIV networks in Guatemala and throughout Latin America. He is deeply committed to preventing the spread of the disease and to advocating for the rights of those who are HIV-positive. He is a powerhouse of ideas, passion, and action, dedicating his energy to creating real change in the field of HIV prevention and treatment, an area fraught with cultural taboos and political obstacles.
Asociación Gente Nueva
Ingrid Janeth Galvez Cuyon
Ingrid Yaneth Galvez Cuyún was 21 when she became a Summit Fellow and was the Program Coordinator of Proyecto LoCreo, a youth leadership development program that encourages innovative and creative approaches to sustainable development in Guatemala. When she graduated from the LoCreo program, her unique potential and leadership capacity led to her employment as a trainer and coordinator there. Ingrid also worked part-time as a teacher and has a deep commitment to youth leadership development, believing that young people represent Guatemala’s greatest hope for a better future. Thanks to the Summit Educational Scholarship, Ingrid is currently beginning her Bachelors Degree at the Universidad Rafael Landivar in Environmental Engineering.
Proyecto Cultural El Sitio LO CREO
Maynor Roberto Morales Coroxon
Roberto Morales Coroxón, became a Summit Fellow at age 24 and is the Program Coordinator of Proyecto Payaso, a local NGO that educates rural communities throughout Guatemala about a broad range of sexual and reproductive health issues. Using performance art and other creative forms of communication Roberto and his team travel to educate people about the importance of family planning, HIV prevention and gender equity. Although he is young, Roberto is already in a key position within Proyecto Payaso, and is also a leader in his own indigenous community near Panajachel, where he works to promote knowledge of SRH issues and community development.
Colectivo Atz’anem K’oj, Proyecto Payaso
Ana Lourdes Del Rosario Tojin Mich
Ana Lourdes Tojen Mich tenía 25 años cuando fue seleccionada para ser una Becaria Summit y trabaja con la Asociación ALAS, una organización basada en Antigua que promueve el entrenamiento de salud sexual y reproductiva en comunidades rurales. Superando obstáculos culturales y presión comunitaria tremenda, Lourdes organizó una clínica de planificación familiar y trajo la unidad móvil de esterilización de APROFAM (un afiliado de IPPF) a su pueblo. Logró dar a las mujeres del pueblo acceso a una larga gama de servicios de planificación familiar. Lourdes es especialmente dedicada a la empoderación de mujeres, reconociendo su importancia crítica tanto para mujeres individuales con quienes trabaja como para el desarrollo de sus comunidades a largo plazo. Lourdes espera un día ser directora de su organización.
Asociación Alas de Guatemala
Matilde Cali Jatz
Matilde Cali Jiatz is a 29-year-old Mayan woman who has overcome tremendous personal challenges; she is a young leader with amazing determination and perseverance. When her mother died at an early age, Matilde left school to help take care of her family. Years later, she returned to finish high school, and is currently studying social work and working full-time at SHARE Guatemala on a community health and education program. She has worked as a trainer and community educator for several years, providing women and young people with information on reproductive health and family planning.
SHARE Guatemala
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
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