Grupo Juvenil Dion

Preventing youth migration & gang recruitment

Poverty, lack of employment, and poor educational opportunities make rural Honduran youth susceptible to external migration and gang recruitment. Migration is very dangerous and disrupts the social fabric of communities. Gangs are very pervasive in Honduras and affect people’s daily lives creating fear and violence. 

Since 2011, Kenoli has been working with the organization, Grupo Juvenil Dion, to address the limited opportunities that rural youth have and to prevent migration, violence and gang recruitment.  Over 500 youth have been trained in rural mobile workshops in: motorcycle repair, cell phone repair, hairdressing, baking, garment making, and electricity. Not only do the young people obtain technical skills that lead them to employment, they receive training in social values, life skills and how to start their own micro-enterprise. Many have become self-employed or obtained jobs. These are huge successes in an otherwise difficult environment!

Recently Dion has been working in the distant northern area of Olanchito – an 8-hour drive from the capital city. The municipality asked for Dion’s help to address the high unemployment amongst the youth and the terrible suffering and impoverishment of the women.  With Kenoli’s help, DION responded to both requests.

Dion trained youth in cellphone and motorcycle repair.  As consequence, some started their own businesses, like Luis Alfonso. His motorcycle repair workshop is called “Taller de motos carrileño”. Today Luis Alonso is a small business man who employs two more graduates to help him in his workshop.

In cooperation with Kenoli partner, ANDAR, 80 impoverished women were trained in gender issues, domestic violence and human rights.  Subsequently, Dion has been providing training to the women in bakery/pastry making and beauty/hairdressing. Some women have already begun their own small businesses selling bread and pastries, and thus improved their families’ livelihoods. These are important successes in an area with otherwise limited opportunities!

bookmark_flower Congratulations Grupo Juvenil Dion!

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