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Join my gang
Key Excerpts from Article on Website of Ode magazine
Posted: January 30th, 2009
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/54/join-my-gang
With a population nearing 3 million, Guayaquil [Ecuador] is home to more than 200 gangs and 60,000 gang youth. But in recent months, this neighbourhood has become a Barrio de Paz (peace town) under the guidance of Ser Paz, an organization committed to fostering peace in Guayaquils violent neighbourhoods. Support comes from Nelsa Curbelo, a 66-year-old woman who looks more like a friendly grandmother passing time with neighbourhood children than a pioneer of social reform working in the most dangerous city in Ecuador. Curbelo has been playing against type for years. When she founded Ser Paz (being peace) in 1999, she began her work by not working at all. Instead of establishing programs, she spent almost two years listening to the young people shed later serve: walking the neighbourhoods of Guayaquil alone, sometimes after dark, talking with those whod talk to her, learning about gangs and impressing the youth with her fearless willingness to be present on their streets. Its these qualities of presence and acceptance that distinguish Curbelo from others who work with gangs. Instead of dismissing gang culture, she validates the positive elements it inspires: teamwork, commitment, a sense of belonging and quick communication. She refuses to label gang members delinquents, and suggests the instinct to come together in teams is a positive response by area youth to a very unfair and unequal society.
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