From choice, a world of possibilities

Youth Volunteering, Brazil

Renata and Roselly are youth volunteers at BEMFAM, our Member Association in Brazil, where over 15 percent of young women have sex before they turn 15. As part of the peer educator team in one of the country’s poorest areas, Renata and Roselly teach other young people about contraceptive use and sexually transmitted infections, answer questions, and offer a sympathetic ear.

Vivienne, Client, PROFAMIL, Haiti

Vivienne, 28, rode a clattering city bus for three hours to get to PROFAMIL’s Port-au-Prince clinic for the first time last February. She had health problems, and a friend recommended the clinic. That marked the first time that Vivienne had ever seen a gynecologist.

Gloria from Bolivia

Gloria comes from a small, impoverished village in Bolivia.

Trazil, Client, PROFAMIL Haiti

24-year-old Trazil works seven days a week, rising at 4am to cast his fishing nets before traveling to his job as a construction laborer. Last year he and his girlfriend, L’Anglie, 22, went to PROFAMIL’s clinic when she became pregnant with their daughter.

Trazil hopes he and L’Anglie can afford to get married one day. Right now he only sees his family once a week.

Stichting Lobi, Suriname

As part of their effort to encourage youth to actively protect themselves against HIV, Stichting Lobi, our Member Association in Suriname, installed condom dispensers in public places like schools and shopping malls. 

Aparecida, Teresopolis, Brazil

Aparecida, 47, was married and had her first child when she was 11 years old. She had three children before she was 18. She later decided to be sterilized. Her children are now 28, 26, and 24. Aparecida’s husband, her first boyfriend and the only man she has ever been with, was murdered three years ago.

Ivan, Bolivia

Ivan manages the education and community outreach programs at CIES. As a former police officer, Ivan has witnessed firsthand the discrimination and violence directed towards street youth. “These youth have a lot of potential and creativity,” he explains. “If they are reacting aggressively against adults, it’s because they have had to live through harsh discrimination.”