Peruvian volunteers excite the youth from Pacifico de Villa.

Youth in Action (“Jovenes en Accion”)

Shouts of laughter echo throughout the community centre. The voices from the projector battle to be heard against the inaudible sound of joy and excitement. There are more than twenty children, who are seated on the stage, each one with their eyes directed to the wall, with the computer projecting the movie, “Big Fish” on to the wall. The voices quieten down, as the opening theme music begins to play.

Its midday on a Sunday afternoon in Pacifico de Villa and led by the Solidarity in Action Peru volunteers, the youth from Pacifico de Villa have been brought together to enjoy a movie and to spend time together. The day marks the continuation of the “Jovenes de Accion” (Youth in Action), a program that was inspired by a successful youth program led by Peruvian and Canadian SIA volunteers during the month of August. This program, led by SIA volunteers, Mayra Bazan, Guillermo Columbus and Pacifico de Villa resident, Daniel Contreras, will provide a safe place for the youth (10 – 14 years of age) to gain a greater understanding of themselves, help them to develop a skill or help them to discover a new talent.

“Jovenes en Accion”, believes in the power that art can have in helping the youth gain a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them. It will begin with weekly movie forums, where the youth can gather to watch a movie and to have a discussion. Each movie has been selected based on topics that will engage the youth, which will allow them to relate to the themes discussed in the film.  Following each movie, the youth will take part in activities and discussions that help them to reflect on the movie and their relation to it.

The program will run from September to December. Various art forms will be utilized during the four month program, including theatre and music. The youth are growing in anticipation for the first music class led by Daniel Contreras, to be held on Saturdays.

Youth in Action will continue SIA’s mission to create sustainable local change by empowering individual communities. The program will help to keep the youth engaged in activities that will help them to grow and it will keep them from getting involved in risky teenage behaviour within Pacifico de Villa.

The program was made possible by the kind donations made by the SIA volunteers who travelled to Peru in August.

Programs such as Youth in Action are possible due to our kind donors.  Please show your support to the program and help the youth in Pacifico de Villa to continue to develop. Find out how you can help Youth in Action.

Daniel Contreras and Guillermo Columbus, SIA volunteers and Youth in Action leaders, transform the Pacifico de Villa community into a theatre.

Mayra Bazan, SIA Peru volunteer and one of the Youth in Action coordinators welcomes the children to the first movie presentation.

¨The youth enjoy a “theatre experience” in Pacifico de Villa.

The Youth in Action participants work on an activity after enjoying “Big Fish”