Juan's Story

Twenty-two year old Juan describes his life before the YMCA as difficult and harsh. He explains how he joined a rock music group at the age of ten and began taking drugs.

Photo: Nile Sprague

“They made me feel powerful, but I managed to control myself and so I’m not an addict anymore.” However, he continued to cause problems and fight violently over territory with other young people on the streets.

He got involved with the YMCA when a youth worker came to his school. This wasn’t easy for him, as he explains. “Even though I needed change I was scared of it because I was worried that no-one who knew me before would accept me afterwards.” Now he is involved in community research projects, visiting older people, and helping to come up with solutions for problems such as poverty. He has enjoyed his work with elderly people, and believes that “they are important examples for young people too, as they’ve lived through so much.”

The YMCA continues to support these community projects by providing young people such as Juan with training in computers, political association, citizenship and sexuality.

Juan believes that it makes sense for young people with similar problems to share ideas through the YMCA. “The YMCA has given the support that my family is not able to give me. I hope that the YMCA continues to help other young people, supporting them with solutions for problems like crime and corruption, so they know that we’re in it together.”

Juan has now finished his studies and has the opportunity to teach. He believes the YMCA has had a big impact on his life. “If I hadn’t joined the YMCA I might be lost in life without hope of solutions.”