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“A Youth Ambassadors Lens”

Photographer: Ben

Reporter: Ben

Date: 06/09/18

Location: Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil

“Today we hiked up Emperor’s Hill, also known to the locals as Christ’s Hill, to see what’s called the Morro do Cristo. Most people here agree that it’s one of the highest points in the city, as it resides 923 meters above sea level. It’s namesake comes from when (Emperor) Dom Pedro II visited the site in 1861. As for the Morro do Cristo, it was the original Christ the Redeemer statue before the one in Rio de Janeiro. The view at the top of the hill wasn’t as wide as we had hoped for, but the fog did look kind of cool the way it just floated where the city peeked in occasionally. Nonetheless, hiking up with our Brazilian friends and families was a great opportunity to get together with a fun activity, and to acknowledge an integral part of Juiz de Fora and its culture.”

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"A Youth Ambassadors Lens" Photographer: Giselle Reporter: Giselle Date: 6/15/18 Location: Barreal, San Juan, Argentina

 While visiting Barreal, we took a moment to meditate and take in the natural beauty of our surroundings before getting back to our busy schedule as Youth Ambassadors.

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"A Youth Ambassadors Lens" Photographer: Jennifer Reporter: Kyndle Date: 15/6/18 Location: Castro, Chile "Today we got to see a waterfall and enjoy the beautiful scenery in Castro!"

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"A Youth Ambassadors Lens"

Photographer: Alykhan

Reporter: Morgan

Location: Rilán, Chiloé, Chile

Date: June 13

"This picture captures the amount of passion and love Chileans have for their beautiful country and its history. We learned at the Rilán Rural School that every kid who attends is taught native Chilean dances, palm weaving, and fed Chilean food. It’s important that the amount of pride is passed down throughout the generations in order to preserve the amazing traditions Chile has. Every kid on this trip has introduced new ways to approach life, and as our final days are approaching in Chile, it’s important to reflect on the culture and the beauty around us." 

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"A Youth Ambassadors Lens"

Photographer: Nichole

Reporter: Nichole

Location: San Juan, Argentina

Date: June 14, 2018

"Today we went to a vineyard to learn about how wine is made and it's importance to Argentine culture. While we were looking at the vineyards we took a break to get some dogs that lived there."

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Photographer: Anthony (via Nate) Reporter: Sadie Location: Enjoy Casino, Castro, Chile Date: June 12, 2018 “Today we celebrated Anthony’s 16th Birthday! Ignacio planned a surprise party at the Casino. There was a beautiful cake along with many drinks and snacks. We were able to spend some quality bonding time together and celebrate our favorite Anthony. Later, Anthony’s host parents put on an awesome party for the YA and their host siblings. Thank you! And Happy Birthday, Anthony!!!”

#YA18 #YouthAmbassadors

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"A Youth Ambassadors Lens"

Photographer: Emily

Reporter: Kyndle

Location: Chiloé National Park, Castro, Chile

Date: 6/9/2018

 Today, everyone went on a hike in a national park. We saw many plants and animals that gave us all a new perspective of the world around us and how beautiful it is.

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"A Youth Ambassadors Lens"Reporter: AlykhanPhotographer: Esther

Place: Iglesia San Francisco de Asís, Castro, Chile

Date: 6/8/2018

"As we begin this journey to create our own projects when we return to the USA, we must view our projects as cathedrals. For our cathedral, we will lay bricks over and over and over again, and sometimes we may feel tired and want to give up, but we must remind ourselves of why we are building our cathedral. One day soon, we will have built our cathedral, and admire it for its beauty and the workmanship. Then, we will set off to build bigger and better cathedral and share it with the world." #YA18 #YouthAmbassadors

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"A Youth Ambassadors Lens"Reporter: Anthony Photographer: Jennifer Place: El museo de la memoria y Los derechos humanos, Santiago ChileDate: 6/7/2018"Amiguis - slang for friend in Chile. Just in 6 days we have made so many strong bonds not only amongst our Youth Ambassadors group but with Chilean teens as well. Throughout the Alumni Dinner, we talked and exchanged social media accounts with the Chilean Ambassadors. We wrote “amiguis” on their wrists as well."

#YA18 #YouthAmbassadors

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The US Youth Ambassadors had a great time in Santiago, Chile for their Leadership and Orientation segment of the exchange. They traveled via cable car to take in great views of the city, visited a marine biology center in Valparaíso, met Chilean Youth Ambassador Alumni and also visited the US Embassy, where they met Ambassador Carol Z. Perez. What a great start to this international experience! These US Youth Ambassadors are now enjoying time in their host communities - stay tuned for more updates on their adventures!

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Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina and Chile Lens: Traditions

“What type of traditions does your host family have?”

Reporter: Camila

Photographer: Melina

April 1, 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

 Easter Sunday

Today we spent time with our host families. In the morning, some of us went to church, others decided to spend time with family. I think every minute we spend with our host families, we learn about our similarities and differences. I'm really happy to spend time with such awesome people. Today is the last day in our host communities, it was a great time, and I’m going to save these moments in my mind.

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Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina and Chile Lens: “Artivism”

How can art and social media promote peace?

 Reporter: Nayla

Photographer: Matias

March 23, 2018 in Denver, CO

"Imagine you are on the beach, you can only hear the sound of the ocean.

Or imagine a song that dips you into a world without injustice.

A drawing of a little child with you in it.

Don't you feel peace with this?

Art can express a lot of things. It makes you feel in so many ways. You can show whatever you want in a piece of paper, with a draw, with everything."

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Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina and Chile Lens: COMMUNITY ACTION

“What type of issues exist in Albuquerque? What are the people from the community to address and solve these issues?”

Reporter: Maca

Photographer: Brandon

March 30, 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

 Human existence is based on friendship and confidence. We hold our life over a million threads and there are another million people who hold those threads, and in this way we can exist. We hold threads that help others to live too, but there are a lot of people who don’t care about the threads that they must hold. There are always people who don’t do a good job with their threads. Also, there are always people who don’t mind damaging their hands with the tension of the threads because they hold a thousand threads. Food banks, places of self-denial, tears, sweat, humility, strategy and effort.

 If we look deeply into those who don’t care about holding the threads as they should, we can talk about the situation of the refugees that we met today, Friday March 30th, 2018. Children ages 5, 6, 7 through age 11, innocent and pure, but they must to suffer for others, they must feel hunger, fear, pain, loneliness and now they are in an unfamiliar place, hard and different, where in addition they experience discrimination and are looked at as ugly. The life of those children is very different from the lives of my host family’s grandchildren. Today I attended the birthday party of my host parents’ son and I met those children who are equally precious and important as small ones from La Mesa, the community center in Albuquerque where we shared and played with the refugee children.

 During all the time that I have been here, the United States has caused tears, deep sighs, pressure in my heart, put knots in my stomach, but nothing could diminish my happiness of being a Youth Ambassador.

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Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina and Chile Lens: “Political Ties”How can youth promote policy changes in their communities?

Reporter: JaimePhotographer: Ailin

March 28, 2018 in Denver, CO

Many people say that youth should stay at school and worry about marks only, maybe because some underestimate or are afraid of the power they can create.It has been demonstrated that youth have the strength to move masses. 

Such is the case of the Chilean Penguins’ Revolution, when high school students from all over the country got together to protest against educational policies, making this coalition one of the most remarkable revolutions in Chile, since the protests accomplished what decades of public debate had failed to do: change constitutional policies on Education matters. Read more about it: http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/982/

Here in Denver, the Youth Ambassadors have learned that working together, cooperatively they can make a change in their communities, as they have the strength, the eagerness and the skills to achieve whatever goal they might set. Little fish can beat the biggest one.

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Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina and Chile Lens: COMMUNITY ACTION

“What type of issues exist in Albuquerque? What are the people from the community to address and solve these issues?”

Reporter: Brandon

Photographer: Macarena

March 29, 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

 Photograph: Macarena

REPORTER: Brandon

One issue that I saw today is homelessness, and with that, a hungry community of people. Today we worked as volunteers in the Roadrunner Food Bank. I was so excited to help in whatever way I could, and as fast as I could. I experienced doing whatever I could to help them, without getting something in return. This food bank feeds a lot of people around Albuquerque, and I was so proud of be part of this community that helps whoever needs it. After this experience I would like to be a volunteer again there, and always with a big smile on my face, because there is no a better feeling than helping someone that really needs it.

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Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina and Chile Lens: LEADERSHIP

“Who is a leader that you met today? In what ways are you a leader?”

Reporter: Camila

Photographer: Romina

March 28, 2018 in Albuquerque, New Mexico

 Today was an interesting day. In the morning, we spoke about our projects, we shared our ideas about how we can help our communities and we talked about our goals and how to be a real leader. After, we went to a high school and we shared these ideas with people our same age. We discovered a lot of cultural differences between us, but also similarities between both cultures. It was a great day to think what we are going to do when we arrive back to our countries.

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Youth Ambassadors Program with Argentina and Chile Lens: “Self-Reflection”

What has one thing that Denver has taught about yourself?

Reporter: Angie Photographer: Jaime March 28, 2018 in Denver, CO

 “These days in Denver were awesome! We submerged ourselves in US culture, living life like true North Americans with our host families. We learned in our classes, volunteered and lived a new adventure every day. Denver taught me a lot of things about myself. I can find wonderful people in each place I go, where shyness and fear disappear. I can be myself and share unforgettable moments.

Every day I can learn something new. It is my decision to do it and be like a sponge, absorbing all good things, learning and making good decisions in the future.

Many people have worked to give me this opportunity. I know that I can also help others and give opportunities to my community. Here in Denver, we volunteered and learned about all the forms in which I can help people. The satisfaction is great!

I learned that I don’t need to be a superhero, someone famous or an expert to do big things, help others, reach my dreams and live a unique experience. I am grateful to God for letting me meet these beautiful people and city!”