With institutional support Kungfuture established a multi level intervention initiative working with young boys involved in armed violence in Colombia

CHALLENGES

Poverty

High levels of deprivation with little to no state presence in the community

Drugs

High levels of addiction and substance abuse

Psychological

Emotional trauma from years if abuse and end exposure to extreme violence

Organised crime

This presence allows young boys to have easy access to arms, drugs and employment

Government

Favour a heavy handed approach that does little more than create more community tension

Violence

Culture of violence that sees a vicious circle passing from one generation to the next

WHAT WE'VE DONE

Skills training

For young women affected by violence

Employment

Through local business collaborations

Partnerships

Between state bodies and institutions, business's and local community groups

Armed groups involved in peace dialogues with local government and enemies

Young boys participation

Micro businesses funded and run by the young boys offering alternatives to crime

I was working with org crime as a sicario (hitman). My guys rob and move drugs. We are poor you see. We never grew up wanting to do these things. KungFuture asked us to stop fighting for a bit and in return would get us jobs and some therapy. They did it. When my mum was sick KungFuture paid for her medicine and always brought food to the house. No one ever did this for us

El Niño, gang leader, Loma Fresca