Latin American youth face many challenges including high unemployment, poverty, violence, and social problems. They struggle to find their purpose in life, pursue careers and education despite lack of opportunities, and express themselves within their societies. Christians additionally struggle to live out their faith, grow spiritually, share their faith, resist temptation and serve God and the church faithfully amidst these difficulties. The document discusses the struggles of two youth, Angela and Javier, trying to achieve their dreams and serve their families and communities.

1. Latin
American
Youth

2. ―We know that humankind always pursues the
future with hope. And the most illuminated window
that moves us forward is the youth.―
— Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil

3. Reality
Latin America and the Caribbean have achieved significant
progress toward the establishment of democratic regimes in
the region due to the mobilization of civil society, local
governments, organizations and young people, who are leading
the way toward a more participatory and inclusive society.
The stability of many of these democracies remains fragile due
to the increasing social problems that plague the region,
including the rising poverty levels, the increased prevalence of
HIV/AIDS, especially among people in the 25 - 44 age group,
along with unemployment, drug trafficking and the eruption of
internal violence.
Some emergent challenges are; environmental degradation and
pollution, as well as persistent problems including gender,
racial and socioeconomic inequality.

4. Statistics
After Africa, Latin America is home to the largest
population of young people in the world.
In Latin America by the year 2012 more than 70% of
the population will be under the age of 25.
The unemployment rate in Latin America is twice the
overall rate.
Youth account for over 50% of all unemployed
workers in Latin America.
New jobs are of lower quality, more unstable, more
insecure and lower paying.
Unemployment problems are connected to the rise in
social violence, family violence and substance abuses.

6. Life
struggles
What is my purpose in life?
Who will love
me? Dating
I want to be
accepted!
Too many unwed mothers
No one understands me

7. ―The young always have the same problem - how to rebel and
conform at the same time. They have now solved this by defying
their parents and copying one another.‖ - Quentin Crisp

8. Christian
Life
struggles
Growing spiritually Be a good testimony and
example even in times of
Prioritize my time and activities adversity
Be disciplined in my devotions and prayer life
Knowing God’s will for my life?
Serve God well Not fall into temptation
Have good friendships with Christians
and non- Christians
Follow God’s will for my life

9. ―Don't laugh at a youth for his
affectations; he's only trying
on one face after another till
he finds his own.‖
– Logan Pearsall Smith

10. Struggling to be a youth
in the Latin Society
Be a solution and not part of the problem
Struggling to be a professional
Fighting for a good job
Be creative and not a conformist
Lacking opportunities to advance
Live by God’s
Be honest and not corrupt
principles and
I am not accepted because I am
young and inexperienced. not by the
Use my gifts to serve world's morals
Be a responsible, model citizen
Choose faithful friends and be a faithful friend
Live in peace. Don’t hate.

12. Struggling to be a
professional
Will I be able to work in my profession?
Will I finish my studies or be held back due to a lack of
finances, corruption or discrimination?
Will I find a good paying job?
Will there be opportunities for me to advance in life?
Will I be able to attain the career that I dream about?
Will I be an honest student or employee or will I be
corrupt like the rest?

14. How do I express
myself?
Through Chat
Through facebook
With my friends
Through e-mails
In my social groups
By talking to older, experienced people

15. Sometimes I feel like…
my hands are tied and I have no future.

16. Sometimes I feel like…
I am free to be all I can be.

17. Sometimes I feel like…
life is just a big game.

18. Sometimes I feel like…
life is just dumping on me.

19. Sometimes I feel like…
all my dreams can come true.

20. Angela’s struggle
Angela is 26 years old. She works in the central market selling hats.
Her dream is to be a seamstress and learn to make her own hats
and have her own store. She wants to take classes but doesn’t
have the money. The courses she needs are only offered in
another city.
Apart from working full time, she helps take care of her widowed
brother’s two children. She is also very active in her local church
teaching Sunday school and helping with the youth group.
A while ago, she decided to take a night course in business
administration at the university. Her Pastor discouraged her saying
that it would take her away from the Lord’s work and that she
didn’t need to study because soon she would be married and
would need to take care of her family. This really discouraged her
because she is already 26 and feels like time is running out to have
a family and her dream store. “Why is it so hard and frustrating to
make your dreams come true?” she asks herself daily.

21. Javier’s struggle
Javier is 22 years old. Since graduating high school he
has been helping in his family’s truck repair business.
He loves the business and wants to become a
mechanic. His family wants him to work and not go to
school. He is saving up his own money to make his
dream come true.
For the past three years Javier has been dating Raquel.
They are in love and want to get married. She is
studying to be a secretary. They want to wait until both
have finished their studies and have saved enough
money to get an apartment, which would be in
another three years. Javier’s parents want them to get
married now and move in with them. Javier feels torn
between what his family wants and his own dreams of
a better future.

22. The biggest challenges in
Christian life
To do God’s will
To live out my faith on a daily bases
To grow in my spiritual life
To be a bold witness in word and deed
To allow God to change my character and be more Christ like
To share my faith with my family members
To not fall into temptation
To serve the Lord faithfully

23. The biggest challenges in
the church
To be salt and light to the world
To love the people and be at peace with each other.
No back biting or judging.
To serve one another
A lack of trained leaders
Maintain a good testimony
Not sin Serve the community
To have a voice and a place to serve
As a youth to be respected by the other church members
To mature spiritually together
To have a heart for the lost
To follow Christ’s example

24. Pray
for us