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Under the aegis of 27 international organisation including UNESCO, BID-JUVENTUD, OPS, CEPAL, UNICEF, OIT, OEA and FLACSO, the competition set out to reward the projected and policies specifically aimed at youth in Latin America and the Caribbean countries.
FUSALMO is a Salesian foundation of lay people and religious involved in the development and the holistic education of the young. The PIJDB began following an examination of the needs in Soyapango and San Miguel, very poor centres in which it was becoming more and more urgent to identify formation opportunities for the young to avoid decay and violence.
Every year about 5,000 boys and girls take part in the Programme organised by the FUALMO; youngsters from Soyapango and San Miguel, aged between 12 and 20 living in large families which are poor and difficult, without the possibility of schooling and in situations of high social risk
The Project, in agreement with the Ministry of Education was launched in 2004, and is part of an educational strategy which offers the youngsters a welcoming environment, healthy forms of recreation, work-training, various life experiences and positive values, sporting activities, computer training and English lessons.
At the basis of the success of the programme is a particular approach: wide-scale involvement. Families, teachers, staff of FUSALMO and friends of the youngsters have an opportunity to get to know each others and to join in the various activities, with courses for parents, discussions and various meetings to encourage them to get involved to have respect for each other, sports tournaments involving the families.
Being recognised by PIJDB means that FUSALMO will be able to take part with other selected international organisations in a regional congress about the situation in the central and north American Region. The purpose of the meeting being help in Mexico, is to share ideas about the different forms of educational experience. After the Congress a book will be published containing the reports from the 30 organisations taking part.
Published 17/09/2009
