This year PAVA continues with projects that drive leadership and community service through the "I am a leader and a change agent for my community" program, which involves fellowship students and community promoters.

As a result, many students stood out, and among them, 12 young people participated in the CONCAUSA youth competition, and 4 of them were selected to represent Guatemala the event held in Santiago de Chile.

The CONCAUSA competition was organized by América Solidaria together with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Regional Office of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and this year received more than 200 proposals from 17 different countries, of which only 15 initiatives were finally selected. A total of 60 young people from various countries traveled to Santiago de Chile where they participated in the CONCAUDA seminar and presented their proposal in ECLAC on Saturday, November 26th.

The project seeks to create a network of young people interested in a better future and committed to building sustainable development to overcome child poverty in America.

The young people selected were Alva Cesilia Quex, Vannesa Sut, Raquel Sajvin and Erick Morales from the community of Panimachavac in Tecpán, Chimaltenango. Their project titled "Improving Eating Habits" seeks to improve eating habits in children under five years of age by reducing the consumption of sweets, junk food, and sugary drinks. They observed that in their community more than 64% of children under five years of age currently suffer from malnutrition, by not consuming enough proteins and vitamins that aid in their growth and development. Noting this, they devised a strategy that seeks to adapt the weight and size of the boys by orienting mothers through informative talks and educational activities to consume their personal crops and introduce the fortified porridge made from soy flour (incaparina) and egg.

Thanks to the commitment and dedication of Alva, Vanessa, Raquel and Erik, communities begin to see a change in the habits of families, who are looking for better food for their children. These small changes will see great results in the development of the community and the lives of the children. Due to their effectiveness, the young people will share with other students from other parts of the world their experiences and be part of this initiative that seeks collective social growth.

All members of PAVA and the people of Panimachavac congratulate the young people for their excellent work and great commitment that makes them be agents of change in their communities and an example to follow throughout the country.