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José Galvarino Lepicheo Machacan is a 16 year-old indigenous
Mapuche youth from Chile. Several months ago he was imprisoned without
charge. In December 2008 a judge indicated that at least 6 more
months would pass in investigation before any charges would be laid
against José. The only reason youth advocates and CFCA partner,
La Caleta, can find for José’s arrest is his appearance
in police photo of a peaceful demonstration for the rights of the
Mapuche people early in 2007.
José’s imprisonment has served as a catalyst for the
young people – many of them of Mapuche descent – participating
in Change for Children’s current project with La Caleta in
Chile. Using José’s case as an example, young people
have organized campaigns, held community events and created art
projects to educate about Chile’s juvenile offender laws,
which can allow for detention without charge – as José’s
case demonstrates – and for children as young as 14 to be
tried as adults. Children and youth participating in La Caleta’s
rights advocacy programming have also been involved in creating
radio programming to promote children’s rights and to celebrate
the importance of children’s participation in families, schools
and communities.
These types of programs involve young people in their communities
and give disadvantaged youth an opportunity to respond productively
and positively to obstacles and discrimination that they face. By
involving youth in supportive and creative advocacy and dialogue,
La Caleta works to prevent common youth problems such as gang involvement
and apathy. This kind of work engages young people in building a
Chile that respects and promotes their rights and builds skills
for their future success.
Please support the future of youth in Chile. To donate to this project,
click on the ‘Donate
now through Canada helps’ icon on our website and choose
‘Chile – Children’s Rights Education Project’
or send a donation by mail to CFCA indicating its designation to
this project.
To learn more about La Caleta’s work, visit: http://www.lacaleta.cl/
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