From Violent Past to Youth Mentor: Dominican Youth to Tell His ChildFund Success Story at the U.N

  Denzel Matthew to speak of his transformation at two United Nations events on
October 19, 2009

RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A 16-year-old Dominican
youth who overcame a violent and hopeless past through a program sponsored by
ChildFund International will share his transformational story at the United
Nations next week as part of the commemoration of the International Day to
Eradicate Poverty and the world body’s continuing observation of the 20th
anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Denzel Matthew, one of five children from an impoverished family in the
Caribbean nation of Dominica whose troubled life centered on his involvement
with a spate of violent activities until a photography course brought him
purpose and direction, will take part in two U.N. events on Monday, October
19, 2009. 

The first “Children and Families Speak Out Against Poverty,” takes place
1:15-2:30 p.m., in Conference Room 2, United Nations Secretariat Building.
This commemoration is organized by the International Movement ATD Fourth
World, the NGO Subcommittee for the Eradication of Poverty and the United
Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and cosponsored by the
Missions of France and Burkina Faso to the United Nations.

The presentation will be followed by an interactive panel: “Children: The
Future and the Present — Participation in Poverty Reduction and
Accountability for Rights.” This event takes place at UNICEF’s Labouisse Hall,
3-5:30 p.m. The panel is organized in partnership with UNICEF by the NGO
Subcommittee for the Eradication of Poverty and the United Nations Department
of Economic and Social Affairs, with the support of the NGO Committee on
UNICEF.

About Denzel
Like so many youth in Dominica, Denzel faced a bleak future, having been
involved in violent activities since a young age. “Every day was a struggle
for me to survive, as I come from a poor family and community,” he says. “I
could not see my future. I had nowhere to go.”

But last year, a photography course made possible by ChildFund International
donors opened an unexpected doorway for Denzel. After years of despair, he
discovered how to channel his energy in artistic rather than violent ways. In
addition to providing him with new skills, the photography class introduced
the teenager to others with similar interests. When the program ended, Denzel
wrote in his evaluation that he no longer felt like dropping out of school or
hanging out with the local gang.

“For the first time in my life, I had a way to let out my emotions without
being violent,” he says.

As he shapes his own future, Denzel also wants to change the lives of those
following in his footsteps. He has joined a youth group of about 20 peers who
are committed to making a difference in their community.  Denzel’s latest
effort is to create a mentoring program to assist children in his community
with reading and writing skills.

The youth group also is developing a conservation program to help protect an
area known as Nature Island, a popular tourist destination on Dominica.

“Today, I am a happier person and am happy to tell my story,” Denzel says. “I
hope I can change the future of others who may be in situations like me.”

ChildFund International, formerly named Christian Children’s Fund, is a global
child development and protection agency, helping the world’s deprived,
excluded and vulnerable children survive and thrive in order to reach their
full potential. Serving children since 1938, ChildFund International works in
31 countries and helps more than 15.2 million children and family members
worldwide, regardless of race, creed or origin. ChildFund International is a
member of the ChildFund Alliance. It has earned 4 stars from Charity
Navigator.