**Breaking Barriers: Young People in Venezuela Share Their Stories 🌎**
Have you ever felt invisible or like your voice doesn't matter? Unfortunately, this is a common feeling for many young people living in poverty around the world. In Venezuela, where poverty is a harsh reality for many families, young people are not only struggling to survive but also fighting to be heard.
Meet Hugo, a 19-year-old from Caracas, Venezuela. He's part of a group of young people who are breaking barriers and speaking out about the challenges they face every day. When Hugo shares his story, he talks about how he and his family have had to rely on innovative ways to access food and water. "We have to travel miles to get anything at all," he says. "It's like we're always running from one crisis to another."
But Hugo's story is one of hope. Along with his friends, he's part of a vibrant youth movement that's determined to make their voices heard. They're calling for change, using social media to share their experiences and raise awareness about the struggles they face. And they're not alone – young people all over the world are using their voices to demand action and bring about positive change.
One of the powerful programs that's supporting young people like Hugo is UNICEF's Expression Z-YouthSpeaks project. The project connects young people with the tools and resources they need to tell their stories and amplify their voices. By giving them a platform to express themselves, UNICEF is helping young people to grow into leaders who can effect positive change in their communities.
The stories that come out of the project are raw, honest, and heartbreaking – but also incredibly inspiring. They highlight the resourcefulness and resilience of young people living in poverty. For example, 17-year-old Dakilalia, from a family of eight, shares how she's had to drop out of school to help her family survive. Despite the odds against her, she tells her story with courage and determination. "I've never lost my sense of hope," she says. "I'm not going to let anything beat me down."
The rates of poverty and inequality in Venezuela are staggering. According to UN data, over half the population lives in extreme poverty. For children and young people, the impact is devastating – many are forced to drop out of school, work long hours in low-wage jobs, and live in poverty-stricken conditions. The psychological trauma caused by poverty is also significant, with many young people experiencing anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness.
But as Hugo, Dakilalia, and their friends prove, even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. Through Expression Z-YouthSpeaks, UNICEF is giving young people the tools and resources they need to turn their voices into action. By working together, we can amplify their voices and bring about real change.
You can help by donating to UNICEF's efforts to support young people like Hugo and Dakilalia. Your contribution can help provide vital resources and support for programing like Expression Z-YouthSpeaks, which empowers young people to break barriers and demand change.
**Learn more about Expression Z-YouthSpeaks and the work of UNICEF in Venezuela:** https://www.unicef.org/venezuela/en/expression-z-youthspeaks
Donate now and help bring hope to young people in Venezuela. Every gift counts and helps create positive change in the lives of children and young people around the world.
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