Hope beats narco and emerges in Monterrey

Highlights of my visit to CDI's operation in Mexico

A few years ago, Monterrey had to go through a federal intervention. Militaries forces occupied all the city as it was facing a war against narco. There was no police. "All corrupted", said one community leader to me. Police was shutdown and replaced by the militaries and after the entire restructuring, now shares the responsibility to protect citizens with the Fuerza Civil, a new security force created in collaboration with social society and the local government.

Heading straight from the flight from São Paulo with connection in DF, I visited Supera-CDI center in the city of Guadalupe. The Instituto de Juventude hosts our program in partnership with Microsoft and we celebrated the graduation of 30 youth, who attended our 3-month program and learned about digital literacy, coding and social leadership.

I met Pedro and Hector: Two young men who have developed new technologies in their communities to address their biggest problems. They clearly see a new world by accessing the Internet and getting empowered by these powerful tech resources.

Pedro and Hector hold proudly their Microsoft YouthSpark certificate @ Camino Real - Guadalupe, Nuevo León

We headed then to the first CDI community center in Mexico - created 15 years ago in collaboration with a local social organization called Supera. It was in Apodaca in the community of Pueblo Nuevo, one of the most vulnerable region in Monterrey metropolitan area. I had the opportunity to visit them and speak with three groups of students from different ages. The first one was between 8-10 years. Second one was 14 years and the third between 17 and 18 y.o. None of them worked or studied before and now have access to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Supera-CDI Center @ Pueblo Nuevo, Apodaca - Nuevo León

Early morning on the second day, we visited the independencia community, a complex of 12 colonias with approx 50,000+ habitants. A program of the local government painted all houses in white. At a distance look, that may not look like a "favela". Inside, the reality is different. Basic services are still arriving. The war between narcos left several marks around the community. Religious symbols across the streets mark where youth have died during the battles.

View from the Supera-CDI center on the top of the colonia Independencia, Monterrey - Nuevo León

Founded 36 years ago by a successful entrepreneurial family, Supera has changed people's lives in the most vulnerable areas in great Monterrey. They have two health centers in the city providing for free health consults, exams and surgeries. In the past years, they have realized that youth were dying due to the violence and although their work in health was important, there was an emerging need: protect the children and give them a new opportunity of growth and development. Now, among their several programs include CDI and USAID initiatives.

Supera's founder Sra. Yolanda Santos de Hoyos hosted Microsoft, CDI and Supera Teams

 Before leaving Supera's office, I had the chance to speak deeply with 5 youth. They coordinate the project with USAID to transform the communities through art, culture and education. It was a great conversation. I felt in their eyes how thirsty they are for change. They are pure, fearless and overall committed in helping their friends and young neighbors. Their biggest challenge has been the skepticism.

"People do not believe. It is hard to tell young people they really have a chance. But that is my vocation", said one of them to me.

He is right. He is amongst a very selected group of messengers of hope. Leaders as Hugo have the privilege to see the change and has the responsibility to keep moving forward no matter how hard it is. He may get frustrated and feel failing with several youth, but there is a few who will succeed. This few youth will continue this work and will lead and inspire the change we seek. This is the resilience we need. This is hope. This is how Monterrey is beating Narco.

Other sources:
Supera
CDI Global
Microsoft YouthSpark