FOR the young people living in the midst of gang violence in Guatemala, a project run by Mercy Corps offers an insight into a different kind of future.
The charity, which has its European base in Scotland, is determined to build the confidence of vulnerable young people and provide the support they need to build a better future for their communities.
Through its We Live Together programme in Guatemala, Mercy Corps is working with the government, civil society and local partners to combat the gang violence which has gripped urban areas of the Central American republic.
It has set up school councils as an effective way to boost the confidence of students and promote the values of democracy.
Young people learn about all aspects of civic participation, including how to register to vote, the process of campaigning and standing for office, how to choose a political party and how to cast a ballot.
Donate to The Herald's Christmas Appeal with Mercy Corps
“Not only does this build the confidence of the elected councillors, it teaches every student the mechanisms and values of a functioning democracy,” a spokeswoman for the charity said.
The work of Mercy Corps, which is the subject of this year's Herald Christmas Appeal, reaches about 11 million young people, with projects to enable children and young adults to access education and work or offer them safe spaces and counselling.
While young adolescents are often overlooked when it comes to funding, they can "set the course for a country to thrive or decline socially, politically and economically", Mercy Corps said.
Donate to The Herald's Christmas Appeal with Mercy Corps
In the last year the charity has helped more than 195,000 young people access quality education, constructed or rehabilitated more than 150 schools and trained more than 6,500 local teachers.
Since June 2016 it has provided access to safe spaces, support and mentorship for more than 20,600 adolescents (54 per cent girls) living in Iraq, and some 4,200 young people enrolled in school during the 2016/17 academic year after being involved with Mercy Corps's counselling and advocacy and efforts.
It also runs six youth centres for young Syrian refugees in Azraq, Jordan, where girls and boys are supported through arts and crafts and other lessons to help them cope with their traumatic experiences.
You can ensure such work continues. Please consider donating to the Herald’s Christmas Charity Appeal on behalf of the work of Mercy Corps in Syria, Jordan and many other crisis hit areas of the world. See below for details of how to get involved.
You can join in supporting Mercy Corps Europe through this year's Herald Christmas Appeal, online, by text or by sending a cheque.
How to donate:
ONLINE: www.mercycorps.org.uk/herald
PHONE: 08000 413 060 (24hours) or 0131 662 5161 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
TEXT: To give £10 text DONATE HERALD to 70755
Texts will be charged at the standard network rate plus the £10 donation. By texting you will receive a call back about our work and what you can do to help. Text DONATE HERALD NO to donate £10 and opt out of calls and texts.
BY POST: Please fill in this form Herald Seasonal Appeal Form.pdf and post to: FREEPOST RSAE-ZBYA-LRZH, Mercy Corps, 40 Sciennes, Edinburgh, EH9 1NJ
You can also follow and support Mercy Corps Europe on social media.
Twitter: @mercycorps_uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercycorpsuk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mercycorps_europe/
Visit www.mercycorps.org.uk/u/text-giving to read full Terms & Conditions.
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