Teen Voices Online: Empowering Young Women in Guatemala

Introduction

Launching in July 2006, Voces de Cambio (Voices of Change) is a program that aims to empower young women in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Through the use of writing and photography, this program helps young women develop their intellectual and creative abilities, build self-confidence, and develop leadership skills.

The Goals of Voces de Cambio

Foster intellectual and creative growth
Promote self-confidence and leadership
Challenge destructive social and gender norms
Encourage full participation in the community

Activities and Learning Opportunities

The group meets twice a week and engages in various activities to achieve its goals. Some of the activities include:

Learning the basics of photography
Improving writing skills
Exploring issues of racism, discrimination, and machismo
Analyzing images of women in the media
Writing modern versions of classic fairytales
Creating public service announcements
Interviewing women leaders

The Exhibition

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At the end of each session, Voces de Cambio organizes a local exhibition to showcase the participants' writing and photography. It is an opportunity for the young women to share their thoughts, perspectives, and experiences with the community.

Part 1: Thoughts About Mothers

In this selection from the exhibition, the focus is on the participants' thoughts and admiration for their mothers. Let's take a look at what some of the teens had to say:

Cecilia, 15

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"This is my mother. She is a woman who is worth gold. She is the most important person to me, after my grandmother. I want to describe her and express how much I love her. She is very responsible, loving, hard-working, and she loves me. She is someone who has suffered very much, and now she deserves the best. She deserves to be happy. She is my mother and however she is, I love her. I thank God for her, and I can't imagine even in my worst nightmare losing her. I only want to make her happy. I'm not the 'best daughter,' but she understands me, and I am beginning to be more mature. She loves me even though I'm not the best. I say I'm not the best because sometimes I get frustrated easily, or I 'behave badly,' but I'm trying to change those things just for her."

Sandra, 15

"I admire my mother very much because she is hard-working and she helped her sisters and brothers continue their education. I admire her because even though my father abandoned us, she has helped us move forward, giving us her help and support whenever we need it. She has helped us with our studies and has given us everything she can. Since she was little she has suffered a great deal, but in spite of that she has continued helping us and has provided for our education. She has suffered so much, yet she keeps going with a smile. I don't know how else to describe her. She is a woman who has fought to make things better for us each day."

Belén, 15

"I admire my mother because she is a very special woman who always knows how to confront the problems that she faces. I admire her because she is a very good mother. She loves all of us, she is always by our side, she never leaves us alone, and she supports us. She always says that we should take advantage of what she and my father are able to give us because she says that when she was younger, she always wanted to do the things that I have the opportunity to do now. She says that we should always work hard to succeed, and that we should never view anyone else as superior or inferior to ourselves. She says that we can count on her and my father for anything, and that as long as we do good things they will always support us. That's why I will always admire her."

Conclusion

Teen Voices Online is a platform that allows young women to express themselves, challenge social norms, and share their voices with the world. Through the program, these participants are gaining self-confidence, developing their leadership skills, and discovering their own strengths. Stay tuned for Part 2 next month, where the teens will discuss their views on beauty and aging.