Rock Climbing Saves Kids from Mexico's Drug Gangs Sam Laird - Mashable
go to original December 2, 2014

Escalando Fronteras | Climbing Borders (Escalando Fronteras)

An American named Rory Smith studied the negative factors impacting youth in Monterrey while writing his master's thesis for the University of Lund. He discovered something interesting: That the risky sport of rock-climbing offered an outlet that can not only provide short-term distraction from Monterrey's destructive temptations, but also give them the self-confidence and inspiration to build better longterm futures.

"Getting to the top of a climb is a major achievement for these youth; it's an accomplishment that they themselves thought impossible," Smith tells Mashable. "And for them to show themselves that they can accomplish something from their own willpower is the first step in showing them that they can do a lot more than they ever thought possible with their lives."

Smith teamed up with Mexican social scientist Nadia Vazquez and Swedish colleague Nicklas Karlsson in 2013 to found a group called Escalando Fronteras (Climbing Borders). Its aim is to provide a structured outlet for kids from Monterrey to find a positive way to spend their time while building life-skills through rock climbing.

Over the past six months, the team has worked with about 100 kids between the ages of seven and 18 in Monterrey, a popular destination for serious climbers. About 50 of those kids have been regular participants, with Smith and his colleagues taking them to both a local gym and nearby outdoor climbing spots.

The effects of a supportive community, close contact with nature and athletic exertion have been significant; many of the regular participants have distanced themselves from gang life and stopped using hard drugs, according to Smith.

Read the whole article at Mashable

Photo: Museo Mutante

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