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  • The increase in the number of children and adolescents from the most vulnerable sectors who decide to emigrate to Mexico and the USA.

  • The increase in the number of children and adolescents who join gangs, or who become involved in the drug trafficking economy.

 

Based on data and context, the Violence Prevention Guide was created by the The Alliance for the Protection of Children  (APN for its initials in Spanish) in 2021, and the PREVENIR project was designed based on the recommendations set forth in that document and with the belief that preventing and reducing violence in the subregion ( Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico) requires a multi-stakeholder approach.  The PREVENIR project seeks to involve all sectors of society, with faith communities playing a fundamental role, to PREVENT violence against children in communities where violence is prevalent.

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The PREVENIR Project was designed through a participatory process, gathering information from members of the Alliance and based on the theoretical framework, approach, and strategies proposed in the Violence Prevention Guide, emphasizing the implementation of secondary prevention level activities.

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General Purpose of the Project:

It is to reduce the risk factors that encourage the development of violent behavior and increase protection and resilience skills to face possible risks.

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The project prioritizes three groups of children and adolescents at high risk:

  • Children and adolescents living in communities located in areas controlled by gangs are at risk of being recruited or becoming victims of these groups' gangs and at risk of becoming involved with drug-related issues.

  • Children and adolescents on the move, are at risk of becoming victims of organized violence along the migration route, including trafficking and smuggling.

  • Children and adolescents with fathers, mothers or other caregivers who are incarcerated.

 

PREVENIR is based on a holistic approach to wellbeing engaging at-risk youth and children through a wide range of activities (spiritual development, recreational, artistic, cultural, etc.) and the strengthening of faith-based organizations that work with children and from with their families and local actors. The PREVENIR project aims to :

  • Reduce the risk factors that contribute to the development of violent behavior in these children and adolescents or that increase the possibility of getting involved in or becoming victims of criminal groups.

  • Strengthen protective and resilience factors, such as healthy lifestyles and environments, to provide psychosocial services and other activities for the children to get involved with to foster their cultural, educational, and spiritual development (2).

 

Currently, the project's pilot phase is being implemented with support from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Church World Service, Arigatou International, and Tearfund also support this initiative. They are all organizations members of the Regional Coordinating Committee of the Alliance and accompany the work of the Regional Project Coordinator.

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The Problem:

According to the Humanium 2020 report (1), Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala are among the top ten countries in the world in terms of homicide rates, corruption, drug trafficking, and gang violence. Children and young people are the most affected by violence, either directly or indirectly in some aspect of their lives. The main consequences of the violence include:

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  • The program aims to reach 2.400 children and 400 adults in the four countries.

  • The idea is to reach 2.800 persons through implementing cultural, educational, recreational, and spiritual development activities and community outreach exercises.

  • Implementing partners, as well as other members of APN, will be trained on specific issues (Children with Incarcerated Parents) and methodologies (Nurturing with Tenderness or “Spiritual Development”).

About the Pilot Phase:

Nine local organizations in 4 countries implement the program (See map below).

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Expected results:

The pilot phase is built around 3 expected outcomes:

  1. Children who live in contexts where violence is prevalent will have strengthened their spiritual, ethical and psychosocial capacities as factors of protection and resilience in the face of situations of violence and other challenges that arise in their lives.

  2. The members of the APN will have strengthened technical, articulation and advocacy capacities to protect children, and adolescents at risk of being recruited into gangs or victims of organized violence.

  3. Key community actors, located in areas where violence is prevalent, have had an impact on the development / improvement of community services and infrastructures for recreation of children, and participated in initiatives to promote social cohesion and community resilience.

If you wish to communicate with the coordination of the project or provide support for its implementation, you can communicate via the APN social networks or by sending an email to: coordinacionprevenirapn@gmail.com

​1. Humanium. (2020, July 28).  Children of El Salvador. Opgehaald van Humanium .

2. See Violence Prevention Guide, chapter 3.2

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