The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is supporting returned migrant adolescents from indigenous communities to broadcast a community radio talk show that addresses the risks of irregular migration, the rights of migrant populations and their reintegration at communities of origin, encouraging an open dialogue in the provincial location of Nahualá in Guatemala.

The program, prepared by the adolescents themselves, has been broadcasted through loudspeakers in the central square of the town during the market day when large numbers of traders and buyers attend.

The initiative has been supported by the Mayor of Nahualá and Nawal Stereo station that linked production to its audience in the departments of Sololá, Totonicapan and Quetzaltenango, located in the highlands. As a result an alliance between IOM, local government and private sector was materialized supporting migrant children and teenagers.

Nahuala is a municipality located in Sololá, 200kms west of Guatemala City, in the Western Highlands and is characterized by a high tendency to migrate. Therefore, the Social Welfare Secretariat (SBS) established the training Center Quédate (Stay), which is supported by IOM, and attended by teenagers who participated in the radio program.

The Quédate Center provides an alternative opportunity to returned migrant teenagers from the United States of America or Mexico and those who have relatives in those countries. This center provides technical education such as English language, information technology, ecotourism and costume jewelry, also level off those who failed to complete primary.

IOM Guatemala has also assisted Centro Quédate students through community radio sessions, which included process of communication, radio production and editing of radio script lessons.

This activity is part of IOM Project Comprehensive Assistance to Families and Unaccompanied Migrant Children returned in the Northern Triangle of Central America, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Through this project, IOM provides primary assistance to returnees, strengthening the capacity of government officials and improves data collection on migration flows in response to humanitarian crisis.

As part of the reintegration aspect, IOM works closely with the Center Quédate supporting designs and prints of promotional material and develops campaigns through social networks.

For further information, please contact Cleo Hennessy, IOM El Salvador, Tel: 503-2521-0500 Email: chennessy@iom.int