As we had the chance to tell on the occasion of Manuel Maqueira's death, was in 2002 when this Galician Jesuit started the Working-Educative Program in Puente Belize (named in this way because it is addressed to the young community living under this bridge in Guatemala City). Now is Paco Iznardo who followed suit and hold the commitment of defending the fundamental rights of this population. It is an initiative that seeks to offer alternatives to young people between 15 and 22 so they can get through without getting involved  in violence and through their contribution to the communities strengthen their self-esteem. Three are the pillars where this aim is based: human education, formal schooling and paid work.

Guatemala City, with 2,5 millions of inhabitants, has one of the highest rates of social inequality. Together with this, the lack of strong political structures, high rates of violence and corruption, population low self-esteem are the main problems that population has to face, specially the children and young people who are the most vulnerable sector.

Given this circumstances, the common alternative for the young people is to join the "maras" or violent groups that in the end even though the "sectarian" idea they promote, give the support, company and the satisfaction of belonging to a group. Faced with the helplessness situation the society offers them, many of these young people find no other option than join these kinds of groups that grow up with their on identity defence and that reach high rates of transgression.

Knowing than the "maras" are the only way for these children who have nothing to escape, Puente Belize project wants to keep them aside from violence and self-destruction and propose them other ways of developing themselves personally and professionally. Nowadays the project has grown up and an Educative Centre was created with more than 50 pupils coming not only from Puente Belize community but also from districts 6 and 18 of Guatemala.  In fact, 10 of the boys and girls benefited with the project have become teachers in the centre. "It is amazing to see how they offer everything they received", declares Izanardo. "This works as a chain of favours, the boys and girls who are part of the project take part also in their own communities, sowing values and a necessary peace culture. In this way we will achieve the maximum implication and, being useful for everybody, we can recover a self-esteem and responsibility sense essential for the good course of the country", he says.

In Paco Iznardo's opinion "after 36 years of civil world in Guatemala the peace was signed, but none of the violent structures and organized crime was abolished what caused a high rate of corruption and many strategies of social destabilization usually blamed on "maras" and this is not completely true. Young people repeat the violent system they see and suffer day by day", he states". We would like to change this situation in all Guatemala, but for this it is necessary hard work and long time. Actually with Entrecultura´s support we are going to organize everything we have done till now, it means we are going to put a certain order in this "creative chaos",  after that it will be a good moment  to introduce our proposal as a right alternative to the Department of Education".

From Entreculturas we support the effort that Puente Belize's team is doing in favour of the peaceful development of Guatemala and the dignification of the way of live of many boys and girls that thanks to this project, can have access to an education and a job an enjoy a real sense of their lives.

If you want to contribute to give the chance to the boys and girls of the most disadvantaged area to have the possibility of a better future, give us your support.