Impact Story: L.'s Journey with Lead-Up

L. is a 19 year old young woman from Jocotenango, Sacatepéquez in Guatemala.

Young L. has mixed feelings when recalling her childhood. The memories bring up both joyful and sad emotions simultaneously, finding it difficult to distinguish between what actually happened and what she simply remembers. Currently, Young L. resides with her mother and one of her brothers in a village of Jocotenango, Sacatepéquez in Guatemala. However, she often feels disconnected to the community and finds it challenging to relate and engage with it.

Her first contact with Lead-Up was through La Esperanza school. Initially, due to a misunderstanding in the information, Young L. thought the project was solely aimed at securing employment, so she was surprised during her first interview with the Lead-Up team to receive a detailed explanation of the programs. After overcoming the initial surprise, Young L. felt even more excited and enthusiastic about her participation in the project, as she discovered that the organization's focus on emotional well-being was an area she had not personally worked on but wanted to improve. Looking back, she acknowledges that she came seeking something different, but what she found ended up exceeding her expectations.

Since then, Young L. has been actively participating in Lead-Up, having participated in the "Discovering Non-Violence" workshops, the vocational program, and the monthly champions' meetings. During her process, she has acquired valuable knowledge and skills that have transformed her life. She learned to regulate her emotions, to better understand herself, to practice conscious breathing, and to use other personal development tools that she was previously unaware of but now considers fundamental in her daily life.

Today, before speaking or reacting, Young L. carefully reflects on the possible consequences of her actions. She has also strengthened her resilience, finding lessons and growth in the obstacles she faces. Thanks to Lead-Up, Young L. has learned to trust herself, the processes, and others. This program has awakened in her a new hope for the future, understanding that everything is temporary and that there are always new experiences to live.

These learnings have had a significant impact on her relationships, both personal with her mother and professional with her coworkers. Young L. recognizes that the most notable change has been her ability to transition from reacting to acting. She now takes her time to manage her emotions through breathing before responding to others. This change has been crucial, as she recalls how she used to engage in arguments due to her temper and impulsiveness, sometimes expressing her frustration with aggression and shouting.

The transformative process in which she has been immersed has allowed Young L. to adopt a calmer and more reflective attitude, which has improved the quality of her interactions and has given her greater inner peace. She now feels more in control of her emotions and has learned to communicate assertively, expressing her thoughts and feelings respectfully and constructively.

What she likes most about being part of Lead-Up is feeling included and welcomed. In Lead-Up spaces, Young L. feels the freedom and security to be authentic, to express herself, and to be seen for who she truly is. Although she is still discovering who she wants to become in the future and what her passion is, having the opportunity to explore it in a safe space has been an important part of her process.

Currently, Young L. dreams of becoming a flight attendant, a dream that finally took shape by participating in Lead-Up and allowing herself to dream for the first time. What she is most proud of now and the most important achievement she can recognize at the moment is feeling good and trusting herself, knowing that she can do and be what she sets out to do.

L. shared her story and allowed us to share it on condition of anonymity, the photos reflect a diverse group of young women who have participated in our programs.

The Visit -UK 2023-

We are so excited to represent Lead-Up International as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2023!

Together with Ecosystems Coldharbour and Art House Project, we will be working to promote a positive sense of community and non-violence through art.

To achieve this we are bringing together muralists John Serna,  ‘Chota 13’ from Medellin, Colombia, and Denilson Larios, ‘Moreno’ from Guatemala, with UK artists ‘Bread Bunny’, ‘Apparan’ and Jhemar Jonas, to support their common goal of spreading the message of non-violence, hope and unity through art.

This special initiative seeks to highlight the important role that art can play in initiatives for social transformation as well as for personal healing. Denilson, our Lead-Up Guatemala youth ambassador and Jhemar Jonas, our Lead-Up UK Youth Ambassador share more than a title and love for art: both of them have lost a brother to gang violence and both of them have chosen to promote non-violence and social transformation as a result of it.

Chota is a renowned Colombian artivist, muralists and one of the initial inspirations for Denilson’s work in Guatemala. As he grew up in the midst gang violence in Comuna 13, in Medellin, Colombia, Chota vowed to find another way to get through the harsh reality that surrounded him and began painting murals with his friends. Through that initiative, Comuna 13 has transformed into a colourful mountainside of murals, an international example for the transformative power of art. These days, thousands of tourists, from all over the world visit Comuna 13 every day to witness the art and transformation that has been taking place over the last 15 years.

Through the visit we hope to inspire more youths with the message of non-violence and to give Denilson, Jhemar and Chota a space to share their stories and messages of hope and resilience.

Join us at one of our scheduled events:

A Tribute To Queen Elizabeth II

My name is Katie Cunningham and I’m the founder of Lead-Up International; a programme that strives to reduce violence by supporting youth to become peaceful leaders in their communities. Lead-Up got its start in Guatemala, in 2014, and since then workshops have taken place in 9 countries, with more regular workshops in Guatemala, the USA and the UK.

As an established 501c3, Lead-Up is becoming increasingly well known and respected as an effective and replicable model for breaking cycles of violence and poverty, preventing conflict escalation and building peace. 

It really is no exaggeration to say that Lead-Up exists as a direct consequence of the certificate  that Queen Elizabeth awarded me with in 2012. I received the acknowledgement due to my efforts to reduce violence in the training of horses in Guatemala, where I live, thanks to Monty Roberts’  nomination, and to whom I am eternally grateful. But in honesty, I really didn’t feel that I’d done much to deserve such an honour. 

And so, on the day of the ceremony at the Guards Polo Club, on 24th June, 2012, at Windsor Great Park, I presented Monty with another idea. I asked him for his approval to use his methods in an attempt to shift attitudes and behaviour towards non-violence amongst horse handlers and owners in rural Guatemala. He approved, and the idea for Lead-Up was born. 

The Queen believed that Montys’ concepts could change lives. We designed a programme with Montys’ concepts at the core, a programme that could have the greatest impact and outreach through a systematized and evaluated methodology. To date, well over 500 youths at-risk of the plethora of problems attached to violence and marginalisation have taken part in Lead-Up workshops, and through them transformed their lives and impacted their communities. The impact of this has echoed in thousands of people who have been indirectly involved and positively affected by the programme and its transformative effects. 

Through specialised exercises that include interactions with horses, and specifically through the Join-UpⓇ experience, youths learn to manage all levels of their non-verbal communication, regulate their emotions and cultivate their peaceful leadership. Through these concepts the young people discover that violence is never the answer and that peaceful leadership is possible, powerful and transformative. 

I know that Her Majesty was interested in Lead-Up because every so often Monty would ask for a progress report that he could personally share with her, after which he would convey to me her enthusiasm for the programme and for its growth. 

In 2015 Monty invited me to attend a very special event at the Royal Mews in collaboration with the Brooke charity. The Queen was not expected to attend, however she unexpectedly chose to leave the Chinese Delegation that she was receiving in the palace and arrived, practically unannounced just as Monty was about to demonstrate his Join-Up methods to the guests. 

Monty spoke of our work here in Guatemala, and the biggest surprise of the day was when the Queen requested I join her, as she was about to leave; she then asked me all about our progress and plans for Lead-Up. 

It was such a thrill and such an honour, and I impulsively and unceremoniously pulled the pound of Lead-Up coffee from my bag that I’d brought from Guatemala for the Duchess of Cornwall, and presented it to the Queen instead. It was all so wonderfully informal and relaxed. There was no one to receive the coffee and the Queen proceeded to carry it around with her, even having photographs taken with it! I hope she got to drink and enjoy it! 

The Queen was known for her humour and for having a twinkle in her eye. On that day, at the Royal Mews she chose to disregard the usual pomp and protocol, escape from her official duties for an hour or so and come to greet and support one of her favourite people, Monty Roberts. It was such a special occasion for everyone there, but it must have caused quite a stir with her staff!

One of the most beautiful things about horses is how they seem to understand everything about us, without any sense of judgment. They really are not interested in our stories; where we come from, our status, our wealth; they’re interested in our real selves. It's one of the reasons that Lead-Up is so effective; because the horses remind the youth that they don’t have to be defined by their life stories, that their essence is worthy, and that recognition gives the youth much needed validation and hope. 

The Queen recognised and respected that. Horses were her friends and they were her teachers too. It seemed that the Queen was genuinely at her most relaxed and comfortable when with horses and people who value and understand them in the same way she did. Horses bring us together, break down barriers and class divides to remind us that, at the end of the day we are all one and equal. Maybe that is what made the Queen so special; that even though she was one of the most respected and powerful women in history, she always managed to remain so unaffected and genuine. I’m certain that the horses had a big part to play in that; they kept her grounded, authentic and helped her to become arguably the most popular monarch of all time. 

Lead-Up keeps growing!

Through this video learn about our development over the last few years in Lead-Up International.

Lead-Up Boletines Trimestrales

Boletín 4

Boletín 3

Boletín 2

Boletín 1

Lead-Up Ediciones Especiales

Patrocinadores de Pais (Guatemala)

Jhoan Orozco -Historia de vida-

Anthony Blanco -Historia de vida-

Lead-Up Quarterly Newsletters

Newsletter 4

Newsletter 3

Newsletter 2

Newsletter 1

Lead-Up Special Editions

Country Sponsors (Guatemala)

Jhoan Orozco -Life Story-

Anthony Blanco -Life Story-

Art to heal and transform: the history of Urban HeArt

In Guatemala, having an uphill road is the common denominator for the majority.  This country, which feeds and normalizes inequalities also imposes the challenge of facing exclusion, indifference and prejudice on the less favored citizens in order to get ahead.

Such is the case for a group of young people from Vista Hermosa, a marginal area of ​​Jocotenango, Sacatepéquez.  The place is also known as “El Papelillo” due to the innumerable paper waste that flies away with the wind from the landfill that is located next to said settlement.

Being born or living there is in itself a stigma for its inhabitants compared to the rest of the residents of the municipality.  Other residents see them with disdain, contempt and a certain fear.  These young people, mostly men, have faced the consequences of coming from broken homes, absent fathers, and a lack of opportunities in education, employment, and recreation.

They grew up on their own, forming their character and perspectives of life on the street.  There they were left vulnerable to an infinity of influences.  As a consequence, many of them were lost to drugs, gangs and crime;  others, on the other hand, inevitably had feelings of hatred and animosity towards society and yet managed to transmute them into the energy that today inspires them to do what they are most passionate about: urban art.

Thanks to the Open Schools program during the government of Álvaro Colom, these young people had their first approach to much knowledge distant to their environment.  Some leaned towards the plastic arts, others towards dance.  Thus, they began to develop in these areas, fundamentally in a self-taught way.

Years later, the organization Lead-Up International recognized their potential.  They began to accompany them to help them attend to their emotional wounds and make their talent visible.  From this, these young people were able to exploit and improve their techniques on urban art. Breakdance and muralism were the disciplines that had the greatest impact on them, and boy are they good.

Behind the flat-brimmed caps, baggy clothes, tattoos and earrings lies enormous talent and sensitivity.  Tremendous works of art have emerged on the walls of the settlement that is their home, where creations of important recognized graffiti artists of the urban genre have also been captured.  Likewise, those who practice breakdance which comes originally from the Bronx and is now recognized as an Olympic sport have been Central American champions four times.  Their dream is to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Today, the Urban HeArt collective (@urbanheartguate) is an initiative that seeks to use and strengthen art as a tool for social transformation.  From being young people without hope, now they are artists and activists for the culture of non-violence, and they not only seek to achieve their personal development, but also the transformation of their community.

The boys who decided to dedicate themselves to muralism have been accompanied by Chota 13 (@chota_13), a renowned Colombian artist who, with his art, has contributed to turning the public space of one of the most excluded districts of Medellín into a tourist point of reference in the city.

With this artist they have exchanged ideas and visions.  Following this model, they have designed a sustainable community tour through which they share their stories, creations and spaces with those who want to meet them.  During the journey, the young people are the community guides who act as a bridge between community members and visitors, showing various forms of urban art and life stories at each stop.  Part of the resources they receive are used to improve living conditions and the spaces of the community.

It is a fledgling effort but with great potential.  A project that, with a medium and long-term vision, can become an efficient model of inclusion and development for the most invisible areas.  It constitutes, at the same time, an opportunity to have a rapprochement with the inequality of this country, and where, however, a light of hope sneaks in.

It is certainly not Cayalá, and fortunately they do not claim to be.  Cayalá is not Guatemala either.

Visiting El Papelillo is a chance to dare to raise awareness, break prejudices and understand that, sometimes, it is enough to reach out and see with eyes of empathy those who systematically turn out to be the last in line.

If we want different results, let's do things differently.  The guys at Urban HeArt are trying.  Hopefully we dare to turn to see them.

Original text in Spanish by Fernando Barrillas of Quorum https://quorum.gt/voces/arte-para-sanar-y-transformar-la-historia-de-urban-heart/

David Acosta: un artista, líder y generador de cambios que inspira a nuestra juventud

David “Smooth” Acosta es un talentoso bailarín, artista y activista colombiano. Miembro fundador del Crew de Breakdance "Black and White" de la Comuna 13 en Medellín, Colombia. David es uno de los jóvenes agentes de cambio que contribuyeron a la transformación de la Comuna 13, la cual paso de ser uno de los barrios más peligrosos de Medellín a ser un famoso centro turístico repleto de arte, murales, música y esperanza.

David es un socio y amigo importante de Lead-Up International, un ejemplo a seguir para nuestros jóvenes, quienes, inspirados por la transformación social a través del arte que presenciaron durante una visita educativa a la Comuna 13, iniciaron su colectivo juvenil Urban HeART Guate esperando llevar cambio y esperanza a su propio barrio en Vista Hermosa, Jocotenango.

Cuando tenía 8 años, David se mudó de su ciudad natal en La Guajira, Colombia a San Javier, Medellín, también conocida como Comuna 13. Se mudó allí con su madre y sus hermanos sin nada más que la ropa que podían cargar y la esperanza de nuevas oportunidades y una mejor vida. Llegaron a la Comuna 13 en medio de una guerra civil y violencia generalizada a causa de disputas territoriales por parte de diversos grupos que buscaban obtener control sobre el barrio. David y su familia llegaron a la comuna apenas unos meses antes de la infame campaña militar “Operación Orión” y pronto se encontró viviendo en un ambiente gobernado por el miedo y la violencia. El aun puede recordar vívidamente tener que ser escoltado por lugareños cada vez que salían a algún lado, así como asegurarse de que todos llegaran a casa antes del atardecer debido a los toques de queda no oficiales que regían en el vecindario. 

Sin embargo, hoy en día Comuna 13 es ampliamente conocida como una exitosa historia de transformación social y urbana: primero a través de proyectos de desarrollo urbano enfocados en abordar algunos de los problemas estructurales de la comunidad, incluidas unas innovadoras escaleras eléctricas al aire libre que abarcan más de 1260 pies (384 m) y que abordaron los desafíos de movilidad presentados por las empinadas laderas del área y en segundo lugar, debido a su inspiradora revitalización y transformación a través de proyectos liderados por la comunidad que utilizan el Arte Urbano para contar su historia de resiliencia y resurgimiento.

David y su crew, Black and White, son una de las principales atracciones de los famosos recorridos de la Comuna 13 que ahora atraen a miles de turistas por día. A menudo se los puede encontrar en lo más alto de las escaleras, un espacio propio por el que lucharon fervientemente, realizando sus intrincados trucos y coreografías para los curiosos espectadores. A pesar de su nueva fama, David reconoce que el corazón de su grupo todavía yace en su pasión compartida por mostrarle al mundo una cara diferente de su vecindario, para enseñarle a otros que “si hubo mucho conflicto armado, pero de ahí sacamos una luz para demostrar a la gente que ya no hay nada de eso a pesar de todo.”

El comenzó a bailar cuando tenía 13 años a través de clases organizadas por la alcaldía poco después de que las escaleras eléctricas comenzaran. A pesar de estar interesado en la danza desde muy temprana edad, en particular los estilos de danza urbana que había visto en películas como Step Up y por los cuales siempre se sintió inspirado, David nunca pensó que podría aprender a hacerlo ya que no conocía a nadie quien pudiera enseñarle. Por esto, a pesar de tener solo 3 meses de duración, las clases ofrecidas por el gobierno local fueron una introducción fundamental a este arte y a otros bailarines, algunos más grandes que el y con más experiencia y que fueron esenciales en su historia de baile pues eventualmente lo ayudaron a seguir aprendiendo y creciendo en la disciplina. Este fue también el espacio donde David conoció a los otros miembros de su crew y donde Black and White tuvo sus inicios.

Hoy, David no solo es un bailarín de break dance reconocido internacionalmente, sino también un ejemplo e inspiración para muchos otros jóvenes en todo el mundo. Los artistas urbanos como él continúan siendo el corazón de la transformación impulsada por la comunidad que Comuna 13 ha visto en los últimos años. Para ellos, su arte es un medio para contar sus historias y las de su comunidad, crear conciencia y traer luz, oportunidades y vida a un barrio que alguna vez estuvo en el olvido. 

A fines de 2021, David Smooth visitó Lead-Up Guatemala, donde Lead-Up Champions iniciaron una iniciativa inspirada en la comuna 13 (Urban HeART Guate) como parte de la tercera fase del programa de Lead-Up, ‘Siendo el Cambio’. Durante su visita, David apoyó y siguió inspirando a nuestra juventud y participó en un Join-Up a través del cual pudo experimentar personalmente una nueva forma de liderazgo pacífico. En 2022, David participará en talleres de preparación que se llevarán a cabo en Colombia con jóvenes de la Comuna 13 como actividad inaugural de nuevas y emocionantes actividades de preparación en Colombia.

David Acosta: an artist, leader and change-maker that inspires our youth

David “Smooth” Acosta is a talented dancer, artist, and self-made activist from Colombia. A founding member of the Breakdance Crew “Black and White” from Comuna 13 in Medellin, David was one of the young change-makers involved in the transformation of Comuna 13 from one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the city to a famous tourist hub teeming with art, murals, music, and hope.  

David is an important partner and supporter of Lead-Up International, an example to follow for our young people, who, inspired by the social transformation through art that they witnessed during an educational visit to Comuna 13, started their youth collective Urban HeART Guate hoping to bring to change and hope to their own neighbourhood Vista Hermosa, Jocotenango.

When he was 8 years old, David moved from his hometown in La Guajira, Colombia to San Javier, Medellín, also known as Comuna 13. He moved there with his mother and brothers with nothing but the clothes they could carry and the hope for new opportunities and a better life. They arrived in Comuna 13 in the midst of a civil war and widespread violence due to territorial disputes by various groups seeking to gain control over the neighbourhood. David and his family arrived in the Comuna just a few months before the infamous military campaign “Operación Orion” and he soon found himself living in an environment governed by fear and violence. He can still vividly remember having to be escorted by locals every time they went out somewhere, as well as making sure everyone got home before sunset due to unofficial curfews in the neighbourhood.

Yet today Comuna 13 is widely known as a successful story of social and urban transformation: first through urban development projects focused on addressing some of the community's structural problems, including innovative outdoor escalators that span over 1,260 feet (384 m) and address the mobility challenges presented by the area's steep slopes and secondly, due to its inspiring revitalisation and transformation through community-led projects using Urban Art to tell its story of resilience and resurgence.

David and his crew, Black and White, are one of the top attractions on the famous Comuna 13 tours that now draw thousands of tourists a day. They can often be found at the top of the stairs, a space of their own that they fervently fought for, performing their intricate tricks and choreography for curious onlookers. Despite his newfound fame, David recognises that the heart of his group still lies in their shared passion to show the world a different face of their neighbourhood, to teach others that “there was a lot of armed conflict, but from there we draw a light to show people that there is no longer any of that in spite of everything." 

He started dancing when he was 13 through dance lessons organised by city hall soon after the escalators began to be constructed. Despite being interested in dance from a very early age, particularly the urban dance styles he had seen and felt inspired by in movies like Step Up, he never thought he could learn it since he didn’t know anyone who could teach him. Thus, despite being only 3 months long, the classes offered by the local government were a fundamental introduction to the art and to fellow dancers, some of the older and more experienced and who eventually helped him continue to learn and grow in the discipline. This was also the place where he met his fellow crew members and where Black and White first began.

Today, David is not only an internationally recognised break-dancer but also an example and inspiration to many other young people across the world and urban artists like him continue to be the heart of the community-driven transformation that Comuna 13 has seen in recent years. For them, their art is a medium to tell their stories and that of their community, to raise awareness, and to bring light, opportunities, and life to a once-forgotten neighbourhood.

He began dancing when he was 13 years old through classes organised by the mayor's office shortly after the escalators’ construction began. Despite being interested in dance from an early age, in particular the styles of urban dance that he had seen in films like Step Up and was always inspired by, David never thought he could learn how to do it as he did not know anyone who could teach him. For this reason, despite being only 3 months long, the classes offered by the local government were a fundamental introduction to this art and to other dancers, some older than him and with more experience and that were essential in his dance history, eventually helping him continue to learn and grow in the discipline. This was also the space where David met the other members of his crew and where Black and White got its start.

At the end of 2021, David Smooth visited Lead-Up Guatemala where a comuna 13 inspired initiative (Urban HeART Guate) was started by Lead-Up Champions through the third phase of the program, ‘Being the Change’. During his visit, David supported and continued to inspire our youth and participated in a Join-Up through which he was able to personally experience a new form of peaceful leadership. In 2022, David will participate in Lead-Up workshops held in Colombia with youth from Comuna 13 as an inaugural activity to exciting new Lead-Up activities in Colombia.  

A Vocational Program Success Story

This week we celebrated the beginning of the third Lead-Up Vocational Program by sharing with all of you the success story of one of its graduates, Anthony Blanco!

First Blog Post! 1 May 2021

This is what’s going on with Lead-Up Guatemala:

You know that Lead-Up strives to break cycles of violence and poverty by creating young leaders who are emotionally stable, assertive and peaceful, through innovative workshops with horses.

Now, thanks to our Vocational program, the Champions Centre for Youth and the Lead-Up Champions Youth Movement, all models for social responsibility and entrepreneurship, Lead-Up Champions are planting seeds of hope and promoting social transformation in Jocotenango, an under served community here in Guatemala.

Through tourism and artistic initiatives, our Guatemala Lead-Up Champions aim to reduce and prevent violence, create social cohesion and opportunities that will benefit their families and their community as a whole, both financially and emotionally. We will be posting more news soon!

Blog Post Two 2 May 2021

On the Lead-Up Cultural Exchange to Comuna 13, Medellín in April, 2021:

We can’t get enough of this interview that Yorman Vega conducted with Joel Chaverra; a founder of Black and White and pivotal in the transformation of Comuna 13, Medellín

What is your artistic name?

- My name is Joel Andrés Chaverra

What is your job?

- I’m a dancer for ‘Black and White’ (Dance Crew Comuna 13, Medellín, Colombia), and I work in Tourism.

How has art changed you as a person?

And how do you see the world now?

- Nice question.

Well personally I feel that TRANSFORMATION THROUGH ART HELPS TO TRANSFORM US IN A GREAT WAY. As an individual; well before I did not think about the big things, now I think about them, I did not have the perspectives or ideologies that I have now.

As such I have obtained a lot of maturity not only for dance but for art in general. My life has had the transformation that I always wanted.

Did you ever think that art could transform your life?

- The truth is that I have always had that thought, that desire that it would happen. Thank God, little by little we are building and working to achieve it, yes, since I was little, art has been present.

What do you think Comuna 13 would be like now without your art or that of others in the community?

- Good question. Well we are people who provide a lot of art there in Comuna 13, Without my group, the art would still be there. Of course we are the focus of dance.

If you go to Comuna 13, from the moment you enter the tour you will find the four elements of hip hop: MCing, DJing, breakdancing and graffiti. The only group that represents Hip Hop dance is breakdance; It is Black and White. Art would always be there, my group just gives it a much needed spark.

We come from a program called Lead-Up.

Lead-Up helps young people to DISCOVER AND MANAGE EMOTIONS, so the question is:

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK IT IS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO CHANNEL AND EXPRESS THOSE EMOTIONS IN ART?

- Personally, art is the most beautiful thing. Whether dancing, painting, singing, drawing. WE CHANNEL OUR ENERGIES, OUR EMOTIONS, OUR LIFE FORCE.

We express ourselves in a simpler way or a more empirical way because A CHANNEL IS BORN IN WHICH WE EXPRESS WHAT WE FEEL.

How do you think people have influenced you?

- On the journey it took, yes there are many people who have influenced me in a good way.

The good vibes that I transmit and the security that that transmits, when I am doing what I like the most, is something that fills my family with pride. It feels very good that I am growing in what I really like.

In the community many children walk in the street, neglecting the things of value such as studies; I teach them what I do and like and take the opportunity to mentor them.

WHY ARE THE ARTS SO IMPORTANT TO PREVENTING AND REDUCING VIOLENCE IN UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES?

- I HAVE MANY FRIENDS WHO HAVE LEFT BEING ON THE STREETS IN THIS BEAUTIFUL WAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH SOME ART OF DANCE, RAP, PAINTING, ETC.

AND WHEN YOU FALL IN LOVE YOUR MIND DOES NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT THAT. Many have been drug addicts and I know art has helped them to CLEAR THEIR MINDS, TO THINK ABOUT PROGRESS.

To get to the point of the previous question they also express what many people feel they can’t. Before they chose to be in a bad life but THEY FELT THAT IT WAS THE ONLY OPTION OR IT WAS THE ONLY WAY OUT, BUT ART HAS SHOWN THEM OTHERWISE.

What is your most important contribution that you have given to your community?

- It is only one thing, it is the guidance I give so that each child wants to learn. I will always be available to teach.

LEAD-UP is a program that helps young people ... At risk of falling into drugs, gangs in their community etc ... IT HELPS YOUTH CHANNEL EMOTIONS THROUGH WORKSHOPS WITH HORSES AND THROUGH ART. What is your position on the problems in your community? What is the greatest virtue/tool that helped create change in Comuna 13?

- The greatest tool that Comuna 13 has had is ART AS A MEANS OF EXPRESSION. The community's BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS WHEN PEOPLE WERE SILENT, WHEN PEOPLE DID NOT EXPRESS THEMSELVES, when people did not have the strength to say "HEY IT IS THE HOUR OF THE REVOLUTION, IT’S TIME TO STOP AND SAY NO”

So how art has helped to express all the emotions in any of those 4 elements that we have has been very important. Art in Comuna 13; art is everything. There is no museum open here, the open, living museum is the heart of the people. You see the life of a person in Comuna 13 and how it has changed

If you were to come to Guatemala, what do you think your main contribution would be?

- More than a cultural contribution, I would give an emotional contribution because I know what it is to live a bad life, what it is to witness bad things.

So believe me, that one of my best contributions would be to share that we are simply people who like art. And to take that simplicity that we have and give it value to anyone, not just a youth who is on the wrong track, but anyone who wants to learn from our art, to be willing to teach, to promote.

What advice would you give someone who is at risk of falling into the wrong direction?

- The bad life; sometimes one believes that it is very ‘chimba’ (cool), that it is good, that nobody tells you what to do, you do what you want,

THERE IS SOMETHING GREATER THAN ALL THAT, IT IS THE POWER TO SO EVERYTHING YOU WANT BUT IN GOOD FAITH, EXPRESSING JOY, EXPRESSING HOW YOU FEEL, BEING ABLE TO TRANSFORM.

Because I believe that if one is blind at some point in life, one will always need a person to open their eyes. What can we tell them is that THERE IS SOMETHING BIGGER THAN US . THAT THE THING IS TO LOOK FOR IT AND FIGHT FOR IT. WE KNOW THAT NOTHING COMES EASILY, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS NOT THERE.

Thank you very much Joel

- It was a pleasure, thank you for being a person who transforms lives in the community!

On a road trip with Lead-Up Champions Yorman, Flekos, Denilson and with Joel and Smooth in Guatepé, Colombia