CALI, COLOMBIA: Experiences with Youth Organizations
Youth organizations from depressed neighborhoods (comunas) of Cali,Colombia are working together to build a better life for themselves and their communities. Their own initiatives to address prioritized problems are the means to gain confidence, self-assurance and to find alternatives of solution to their needs.
"Corporacion El PARCHE" is a group of 25 young persons with 5 years experience in working with the following main objective: "To promote their own integral development, increasing cohesion and community sense through cultural and artistic activities". They implemented four lines of action: education, culture, participatory research and social networks formation. Among their achievements are: improved relationships with family and peers; recognition by diverse governmental and non-governmental organizations; support for organizing new youth groups in others comunas; teaching rap music to 40 youngsters, and video design and elaboration to 15 other ;organization of health festivals., The most important of all for them has been recognition by inhabitants of the Comuna, which lead to their inclusion in the Local Planning Committee and to the creation of "El Frente Comun para Jovenes" (The Common Front for Young Peoples). Violence and delinquency rates have been significantly reduced.
Mujeres Activas para un Futuro Mejor, MAFUM (Active Women Association for a Better Future). This organization has also 5 years of experience and its objective is : "To work for comprehensive education of women, free and active participation in decision-making on important matters for their community and country".They are young women and men who share needs and wishes. They used the formulation of projects on issues such as sexual and reproductive life, health promotion, citizen culture and environment improvement, as a participatory methodology for their own development. Among their achievements are: negotiation with governmental institutions to obtain financial support; organization of a series of education and training courses in sexual and reproductive health, prevention of drug addiction and domestic violence. MAFUM also participate in the Planning Committee of the Comuna.
(Written by Sandra Torres).
These two Youth Organizations are supported by FUNDAPS (Fundacion para asesorar Programas de Salud), CISALVA (Research Institute on Violence and Health of University Valle), and Secretary of Health of the City of Cali.