We organized a youth night in Ushpa-Ushpa last Friday 8th March. This was the first big event in the community entirely for youth but hopefully to be followed by many more, because it was a success!
In Ushpa Ushpa there’s a problem with youth gangs, violence and drug abuse, which leads to the vicious circle of social exclusion and poverty. In Proyecto Horizonte we offer the youth alternative activities through our sports and arts programs to prevent these problems. This event was aimed at reaching out to youth that are not currently involved in our activities and find what activities they are interested in.
With this aim, we tried something we have never done before. An event, at night, open to the public with various expositions of talents. The event was carried out together with 2 other organizations from Cochabamba called Performing Life and Educar es Fiesta. Performing Life’s work is aimed for children and youth working and living in the streets to create better futures for them through arts. They empower youth by teaching them performing arts and productive skills to avoid drug abuse and street life while improving their economic wellbeing.
The young artists of Performing Life had made a show including circus, hip hop dancing and music performances to introduce performing arts to youth of Uspha-Uspha, and Educar es Fiesta brought us a stilts workshop, which frightened a few younger kids! There was also bongo drumming, a rock singer and a lot of dancing that broke down the divide between the kids from different schools. There was an anime exposition where there was also a drawing competition. Burgers, fries and sausages were provided by this year’s graduating class, to raise money for their end of year trip. Approximately 250 youngsters came to join the event.
We had an information desk and conducted interviews with the youth. We now have 150 responses on what they want us to offer. Most popular is dancing followed by guitar and singing lessons.
So the night was a success and now in Proyecto Horizonte we will start developing the new ideas into action and hopefully soon can start new projects for the youth of Uspha-Uspha.
