Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Education and Global Social Justice Project, in May 2012 undergraduate student Charlotte Markson interviewed Gerardo Cruz, a teenager attending the community classroom at La Casilla Youth Center in Uruguay. In this interview, he explains why he came to La Casilla and how the program relates to his future goals.

Why do you come to La Casilla?

A couple of years ago I dropped out of school, and for the past two years I didn’t do anything. I was on the streets, and the streets didn’t offer me anything. When a friend told me about a place called La Casilla I came here. I learned about the community classroom and the fact that classes were during the morning hours. I like this idea, because I used to always go to school in the mornings. Later two people from La Casilla came to my house and invited me to attend classes, and I accepted.

Since there are a lot of things I don’t know yet, I was placed in level three. This is the first level, which leads to level two and then one. In level three you receive more support in your studies, the readings, and anything else you struggle with. I am here because I gave myself the challenge. I want to graduate from this level in order to go to technical university. To go there I need to have completed at least one year of secondary education. Aside from going to classes I work in whatever comes up—painting, fixing roofs—whatever gives me money to buy the things I need.

What is something you learned here that you think is important?

Fe y Alegría invited me to take part in a program that trains you to be a team leader. During three camps, which are each three months apart, they taught me how to lead a group. We learned the basics of how to assemble a group of people, and make sure everyone in the group is behaving well.

What would you like to work as when you finish your studies?

I haven’t given it much thought yet, but I have always liked electricity and the thought of being an electrician.