\u201cI miss my family, where I used to live, my home, and coming here is like starting over, coming to a place where you don\u2019t know anything, you don\u2019t have money, you learn how to speak, study to be able to work and earn money; it isn\u2019t so easy. You don\u2019t leave your family, your home because you want to leave; no, it\u2019s because you have to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
In these words, spoken by Naicol, a young indigenous man who lives in a shelter for Venezuelan refugees, under the coordination of Operation Welcome, in Boa Vista, Roraima, we can perceive the challenges faced by young people who live in a shelter situation.<\/p>\n\n
According to data of the UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR), 52% of the refugees throughout the planet are younger than age 18, who in their long journeys, are susceptible to suffering traumas resulting from abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation, trafficking, or even forced and irregular military recruitment<\/p>\n\n
On this International Youth Day, celebrated today, August 12, it\u2019s important to point out that, in spite of all the challenges faced by these young people, they continue steadfast in the lessons life imposes on them, without losing the capacity to dream and struggle for better days.<\/p>\n\n
This date is also an important moment for celebrating the role of Youths in the forefront of global innovations and changes, and also to make them aware of the challenges this transformation requires.<\/p>\n\n