This essay is one of 35 selected by a panel of judges for “Ambitions Interrupted,” a series from The GroundTruth Project and YouthVoices, its storytelling platform.
Name: Mael Humberto Terán Cano
Age: 17
Dream job: International documentary filmmaker
City, Country: Quito, Ecuador
Current job/school: High school student; part-time worker at an internet cafe
Challenge: Financial difficulties
When I was a little boy, I participated in some art programs that Children International organized. I always liked theater and other activities where I met new friends. I stopped going to the events because I had to work as a carpenter, but more than a year ago I entered a program called Community Youth Reporters. This program was new, and I was told that it was for young people ages 14-19 to learn photography and how to produce videos.
I loved the idea and went directly to the organization to sign up. Unfortunately, I was told that the program had already started. I was discouraged, but I was told I could speak with the program coordinator. Because I was so interested, he told me that I could get in, but I also had to go during my school vacations so I could catch up on everything I had missed in two months.
The truth is I did not understand much at the beginning, but with time the advanced group included me and called on me to cover various events with photography and later to make videos. I had no idea whether or not I would be talented with the camera. The program coordinator always congratulated me and said I have talent, that I could be a great photographer or a film cameraman.
Currently, I know how to work a single-lens reflex camera in manual mode, and I can also make videos without focus problems. I know how to make continuing planes on a handheld camera, a Steadicam, and countless other things that have helped me gain understanding from all of my friends and from the program coordinator. Because of this I am always called on to support my community by producing news coverage about it.
Today, my economic situation is a bit difficult – I can’t count on the support of my parents and I do not have a stable job. I am still a high school student and I work part-time at my relative’s internet cafe, but I’ve also held previous jobs as a carpenter’s assistant, mechanic, printer, messenger, artisan and dishwasher.
I would say that the youth reporters program changed a part of my life. It helped me limit hours doing difficult work, which is not healthy for my age. Children International looks to give us life skills and to protect our rights through these programs.
I’m not exactly sure what to study in university, but there’s no doubt that film, photography, or social communication would be among my first choices.
This story was originally submitted to YouthVoices, a platform powered by The GroundTruth Project that encourages young people to share stories about the issues affecting their generation. Submit your own essays and answer new questions here, or learn more about global youth unemployment with this interactive map.