Carlos' Story

Twenty one year old Carlos has a new found confidence in his abilities thanks to work he has been doing with the YMCA.

Photo: Nile Sprague

Carlos works as a monitor at the YMCA centre in Acuhualinca. Although he has been involved with almost every activity on offer, his passion is for table tennis. He now trains his own table tennis group. Carlos plans to hold monthly tournaments and hopes to send some of his best players to compete in an international ping-pong competition.

In return for these extra responsibilities, he is paid $40 a month and receives a scholarship to help fund his law degree. Since joining the YMCA in 2001, Carlos’s goals have completely changed. “Before, I was really shy and didn’t have the confidence to communicate with people. I didn’t have any perception of an alternative future. But now everyone looks up to me and I have quite a lot of influence in the community.”

For Carlos, the most useful thing about the centre is the space it provides for young people to relax in safety. “It offers a means of distraction and recreation. People who are at risk of becoming involved in bad things, socially, like gangs or drugs, have somewhere to go. We give them this continuity.”

Carlos leads workshops in self-esteem which begin with an introduction to the YMCA; “….why it’s here, what are its objectives, why it works with young people.” He believes it is crucial to publicise the centre to encourage more young people to take part. For example, in September an exchange project gave over 20 young people from Canada and Honduras the chance to visit. Carlos is proud that the YMCA centre is starting to have an impact, not only at a personal level but across the wider community.

By taking on more responsibility, he has learnt how to take charge and resolve situations for himself. Carlos hopes to continue working at the centre. “If the YMCA offers me more opportunities, I’ll take them. Or if they offer me a higher position, or more responsibility, then I will be able to continue to learn.”