Merida Initiative Backing for Tijuana Boy Scouts Sandra Dibble - The San Diego Union-Tribune
go to original October 2, 2013

A new Scouts group for at-risk youth has formed in the Tijuana neighborhood of Granjas Familiares with support from the Merida Initiative. (U-T San Diego)

TIJUANA — It’s not much more than dusty lot in one of Tijuana’s grittier neighborhoods. But for Guillermo Mandujano, it’s become a haven — a place to forge friendships and build dreams.

The 13-year-old is participating in a pilot project started this year in Tijuana by the nonprofit Asociación Scouts de Mexico. The program is part of an unprecedented, U.S.-funded effort led by the Scouts group to help some of Mexico’s at-risk youths resist the influence of drug gangs.

“I’m not going out into the street as much,” said Guillermo, who on a recent Thursday afternoon was busy raising tents, tying knots and playing games designed to strengthen teamwork skills. “Here I can come and sing and play and do a lot of things.”

Tijuana is one of three cities, along with Ciudad Juárez and Monterrey, receiving U.S. federal support for programs aimed at building stronger communities. These include job training, community policing, public space enhancements and promotion of cultural activities — all under the auspices of the Merida Initiative, a bilateral security agreement between the United States and Mexico.

Read the rest at The San Diego Union-Tribune

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