"The change is the world and we are the world"

by Esteban Sacalxot “I didn’t want to come because I didn’t know what the program was about, but I’m glad I came. Now I know I can make a difference”. –Participant from Youth Leading for the Pachamama (YLP), Santa María de Jesús, Sacatepéquez “We don’t get scolded here, and we were heard from the beginning. I felt safe from the start.” -Participant from Youth Leading for the Pachamama. "The change is the world and we are the world". -Pedro Pío These were some of the words and emotions of some of the young participants at the end of the program. The YLP in Santa María de Jesús strengthened connections among young leaders, the municipal government, spiritual guides and parents. Young people aged between 16 and 22 were going inside the conference room in small groups, murmuring in Kaqchikel and laughing. As the facilitators for the Youth Leading for the Pachamama Congress, we were ready to begin this three day long journey in Santa María de Jesús, Sacatepéquez. The wisdom and knowledge started flowing from the beginning, and each moment was more exciting than the previous one. At the end of the first day we got an idea of their deepest concerns: overpopulation, excessive logging, and malnutrition. We could see that their faces reflected some of the feelings invading their hearts: anger, emptiness, sadness and pain. Our invitation to imagine and dream with a better and fairer future is what propelled these young people to have brilliant ideas for change; ideas that they are willing to carry out. This was the end of the second day of the program. On the third day there was a community forum, where parents, municipal authorities and special guests witnessed the moment when the young participants presented their action plans to make positive changes in their community. Our hearts were touched when a grandfather, between sobs and tears, told his grandchildren to stop cutting trees, and if they do, to plant more. We were left speechless during the theater presentation by the youth that opened a space for dialogue rich in wisdom and experiences. The youth listened respectfully to the spiritual guide and Mayan priestess’ counsel, saying “Ti chijij iwi Ti chijij iwi”, (take care, take care),  emphasizing that a woman’s and man’s bodies are not sexual objects, and that they must be respected and taken care of with responsibility, just like our Mayan grandparents taught us. This had the purpose of encouraging a generation that worries about overpopulation in this municipality. With lots of excitement, we want to keep on walking with the youth of Guatemala, which represents more than 70% of the country’s population. We work with young people that are inspired to lead actions for a future that is fairer, resilient and ecologically sustainable; facing global challenges like climate change, water pollution, overpopulation, food crisis, the loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation. I invite you to get to know and be part of Youth Leading for the Pachamama.