Zone 6 Guatemala City Youth Center.
Donation protected
My name is Peter Odulana. The beautiful woman in the picture with me is my wife Nadia, and the ridiculously cute baby she's holding is our son Nathaniel. We live in Zone 6 of Guatemala City and we are missionaries to the people here, particulary to the youth.
Zone 6 is known as one of the "Red Zones" of Guatemala City, which means it is one of the more dangerous ones due to violence and gang related activities. For this reason, many of the young people are drawn into gang life, usually because they come from low income families and are attracted to the glamorous looking lives of gang members, or because they have no means of sufficient entertainment at home, so they end up in the streets looking for trouble. The problem with looking for trouble in the streets out here is that you always find it, and the end result is never as glamorous as it looks in the beginning. Of all the youth that have come through our church, up to 16 of them have been killed as a result of gang related activity. So we decided it was time to turn an old dream into reality: Start a youth center, right here in Zone 6.
We found a building, through the incredible providence of God, that was located right in front of the police academy and right across the street from a cafeteria where cops eat all the time, making it one of the safest spots in the zone. It has ample space for all the different activities and programs that we want to do so it is ideal. Among other things, the youth center will primarily be a refuge for young people looking for a place to escape their lives of chaos and struggle, even for a coupe of hours. It will be a place where they can learn and understand that they can live a different reality; a reality with a brighter future and a better life; a reality with Christ at the center.
We signed the contract in November 2015 and have already used it for some youth meetings and other events, but the actual opening is not till the end of January 2016. We are still in need of many materials such as board games, card games, video games and consoles, literature books in spanish, musical instruments for the music program, paint and cleaning supplies for maintenance, etc. We have already been blessed with some donations from people, but unfortunately those funds barely cover the rent, and we have already had to pay some bills from our own pocket.
The goal is $12,000 for the entire year, and all the funds will go to the maintenance of the building and the functioning of the youth center. We are hoping we can get the funds by the end of the month of January so we can start working towards our goals and drawing the kids in.
Starting a youth center has been a dream of mine since I moved to Guatemala over 4 years ago. I saw a boy of about 14 years sitting on the side of the street and I asked him if he was waiting for someone. He said no. I then proceeded to ask him what he was doing, and he told me "nothing". He had nothing to do, so he just sat in the street, doing nothing, alone. I have since seen many similar situatioins that really solidifed in my heart the need for this youth center, and it's not until now that it has become a reality.
We would be far beyond grateful for all your help and contribution to this cause. Who knows, your donation may actually save a life.
Thank you and may God, in His infinite kindness, bless you with much more.
Peter, Nadia & Nathaniel
Zone 6 is known as one of the "Red Zones" of Guatemala City, which means it is one of the more dangerous ones due to violence and gang related activities. For this reason, many of the young people are drawn into gang life, usually because they come from low income families and are attracted to the glamorous looking lives of gang members, or because they have no means of sufficient entertainment at home, so they end up in the streets looking for trouble. The problem with looking for trouble in the streets out here is that you always find it, and the end result is never as glamorous as it looks in the beginning. Of all the youth that have come through our church, up to 16 of them have been killed as a result of gang related activity. So we decided it was time to turn an old dream into reality: Start a youth center, right here in Zone 6.
We found a building, through the incredible providence of God, that was located right in front of the police academy and right across the street from a cafeteria where cops eat all the time, making it one of the safest spots in the zone. It has ample space for all the different activities and programs that we want to do so it is ideal. Among other things, the youth center will primarily be a refuge for young people looking for a place to escape their lives of chaos and struggle, even for a coupe of hours. It will be a place where they can learn and understand that they can live a different reality; a reality with a brighter future and a better life; a reality with Christ at the center.
We signed the contract in November 2015 and have already used it for some youth meetings and other events, but the actual opening is not till the end of January 2016. We are still in need of many materials such as board games, card games, video games and consoles, literature books in spanish, musical instruments for the music program, paint and cleaning supplies for maintenance, etc. We have already been blessed with some donations from people, but unfortunately those funds barely cover the rent, and we have already had to pay some bills from our own pocket.
The goal is $12,000 for the entire year, and all the funds will go to the maintenance of the building and the functioning of the youth center. We are hoping we can get the funds by the end of the month of January so we can start working towards our goals and drawing the kids in.
Starting a youth center has been a dream of mine since I moved to Guatemala over 4 years ago. I saw a boy of about 14 years sitting on the side of the street and I asked him if he was waiting for someone. He said no. I then proceeded to ask him what he was doing, and he told me "nothing". He had nothing to do, so he just sat in the street, doing nothing, alone. I have since seen many similar situatioins that really solidifed in my heart the need for this youth center, and it's not until now that it has become a reality.
We would be far beyond grateful for all your help and contribution to this cause. Who knows, your donation may actually save a life.
Thank you and may God, in His infinite kindness, bless you with much more.
Peter, Nadia & Nathaniel
Organizer
Peter Odulana
Organizer
Greenbelt, MD