06 Mar Mexico, Climbing Borders

It is estimated that in Mexico there are more than 30,000 children and young people forced to work for the mob, mostly drug traffickers, in order to survive and the others are reduced to living in poverty and marginalization even more strong without having a legal and clean perspective on life. 
The problem of these young people, used as combatants by drug cartels, is the interest of climber Rory Smith, who tried to start a plan of the recovery for disadvantaged people through climbing. 
Along with Nicklas Karlsson, enjoying both a lot of previous experience, he founded the Climbing Borders (Escalando Fronteras), a no-profit organization that teaches and disseminates  the climbing to keep young people busy, to get them to socialize and to keep them away from gangs criminals.
“Climbing dovetails perfectly to the needs of the at-risk youth population in Monterrey,” says Smith. “Climbing is a natural way to bridge the negative values, low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress, violence and endemic perverse risk-taking of this youth group with a healthier lifestyle that supports positive life pathways as well as a host of promising opportunities."

"The organization is currently working with at-risk youth in some of the more precarious areas of Monterrey, Mexico. Climbing is used as the main development instrument to foster discipline, focus, trust, camaraderie, leadership, improved self-esteem, and to reduce stress and aggression."

“The program exposes youth to the outdoors to climb in Potrero Chico, La Huasteca and El Salto,” says Smith. “[It’s] a side of life that they would generally not otherwise experience, and whose positive effects on the mind and body are myriad.”
"We’re currently in the process of raising money to construct a space dedicated to climbing and culture for youth in the neighborhood Independencia,” says Smith, “one of the most vulnerable areas in Monterrey.”
“With this space, Climbing Borders will also be able to host an ongoing series of workshops that assist at-risk youth with various other problems, including adolescent pregnancy, HIV, violence, family disintegration, and domestic abuse.” 
Pro climbers already involved include Dani Andrada, Lynn Hill, Paige Claassen, Said Belhaj, Joe Kinder, Jonathan Siegrist, James Pearson, and Matt Wilder.
More info and details on facebook  and website
source rockandice.com