Education helps Dago leave life on the streets for the chance at a better future

Dagoberto (Dago) Perdomo Rosales is 23 years-old. He is a barber. He lives in Colonia La Esperanza in the District of San Miguel, which is considered to be one of the most dangerous areas of the capital due to drug-dealing and movement of anti-social groups.

Dago says that as a child he loved watching his mother work.

Growing up, Dago lived with his parents and younger sister. His father worked as the supervisor of security guards. His mother worked as a hair dresser from home. Dago says that as a child he loved watching his mother work.

Dago finished elementary school, and reached 8th grade when he decided to drop out of school. He got involved with friends that were not a good influence, and without responsibilities nor clear goals for his life, he began to make very bad decisions.

Things got worse when Dago’s mother passed away from kidney cancer. The situation was even harder for a teen that did not have direction in his life. His little sister was sent to live with an aunt in another town, outside the city, dividing his family further. Then, his father became more and more absorbed in his work to try to escape the pain of his wife’s death.

Even though Dago did not want to study he did want to do something better with his life. He decided to follow in his mother’s footsteps, and become a hair dresser.

Even though Dago did not want to study he did want to do something better with his life. He decided to follow in his mother’s footsteps, and become a hair dresser. He visited the National Agency for Professional Development (INFOP)[1] to get a clearer view of the courses and workshops offered in the technical and vocational fields. INFOP found the courses offering hair dressing nearest to Dago’s neighborhood, the Cerro de Plata ADP (Area Development Program) of World Vision Honduras.[2]

At the beginning of Dago’s training there were many ups and downs because he did not want to follow instructions and he did not respect the teacher. He was punished on a few occassions for this. It got to the point that he even participated in fights with his classmates. However, everything got better as Dago participated in life skills courses that included human formation of values and rules for everyday living. He learned to become a good hair dresser and a better citizen. Dago was able to finish the six month course. Then he began his one-month apprenticeship in a barber shop in La Travesia.

Just as life was improving for Dago, his father got in a motorcycle accident, which left him in bed for six months. At the same time Dago’s 17-year-old sister returned home and was following in many of Dago’s bad habits, like skipping school. As things seemed that they couldn’t get worse, a friend told Dago that he saw an ad in one of the national papers for a new barber shop in a great part of town looking for young hair-dressers.

Dago at his new job. He says he's living his dream and keeping his mother's memory alive. (Photo credit: Tanya Ghosheh / World Vision)

“Dago has changed so very much, and not everyone changes,” says Ruth Romero, hair dresser teacher of the Cerro de Plata ADP states. “I saw his motivation and interest, and how much he wanted to earn money. To this day, he continues to visit me. I know that he is in need of love, and I am here to give him a shoulder. I am happy, because I know that he is better.”

Dago has been working at the shop for two months and feels he is living his dream. He loves his job, and most importantly does it in remembrance of his mother. He says that one day he wants to have his own barber shop.

Related links:

• World Youth Skills Day
• VIDEO: Oussama gains life and livelihoods skills, perspective and hope
• Growing mushrooms helps Chanthou save money for her education
• Visit the Economic Development page
• Life Skills Development Quick Guide