Additional Context: This quote was collected as part of The Aid Report's original reporting found in the Devex featured article "USAID moves out, gangs move in: The cost of aid cuts in Colombia." Our journalist traced the unraveling of years of prevention work in Colombia to better understand how gangs and armed groups were quick to exploit the vacuum left behind when this work was cancelled.

This quote is attributed to Harold Palacios, who asked for his name to be changed for fear of security repercussions. Palacios founded Black Boys Chocó, a dance program offering vulnerable youth a safe space and an opportunity to be a part of something positive, rescuing dozens of young people from gangs and rehabilitating them through a community of arts and empowerment. He has continued providing dance lessons for dozens of local youth. But a lack of funding has forced him to reduce the number of classes. While many of the program beneficiaries have avoided falling back into crime, others have relapsed.

Source: Devex