Youth and Community Development: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras Quarterly Report April – June 2019

The program has been active in the region since its inception, with a focus on developing life skills, fostering civic participation and leadership, and promoting community development. One of the key aspects of the program is the Leadership Club, which has been instrumental in developing teamwork and leadership skills among young people. The club has organized various activities, including the Leadership Rally camp, which took place in San Pedro Sula and San Salvador. The camp aimed to present the skills and abilities of leaders as a dynamic learning strategy, motivating and developing skills and knowledge through competitions and fun. The program has also placed a strong emphasis on education, with various initiatives aimed at promoting learning and development among young people. For example, the program has organized educational excursions to museums and other educational institutions, such as the Fundación Refugio Salvaje en El Salvador (FURESA) and the El Planetario Museum. These excursions have provided young people with opportunities to learn about science, nature, and other subjects, and have helped to promote a love of learning among participants. In addition to these initiatives, the program has also focused on promoting entrepreneurship and economic development among young people. The Entrepreneurship Fair, which was held in the three countries where the program operates, provided young entrepreneurs with opportunities to demonstrate and sell their productive initiatives. The fair was a huge success, with over 700 young people participating in Honduras and El Salvador, and 300 in Guatemala. The program has also placed a strong emphasis on community development, with various initiatives aimed at promoting social cohesion and community engagement. For example, the Community Café sessions, which were held in Honduras, provided a platform for parents, teachers, and community leaders to discuss important issues and develop initiatives to address them. The sessions focused on topics such as social networking, learning to listen to children, interpersonal relationships, and parenthood. The program has also recognized the importance of staff development, with various initiatives aimed at promoting the skills and knowledge of program staff. For example, a workshop called "Search inside yourself" was held in El Salvador, which aimed to develop attention skills and emotional intelligence among staff. The workshop was based on neuroscience and was designed to help staff experience greater well-being, resilience, and stress management. Overall, the Youth and Community Development program in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras has been instrumental in promoting the development and empowerment of young people in the region. The program's various initiatives have helped to promote life skills, education, entrepreneurship, and community development, and have provided young people with opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.