A new life in Bergen turns out to be harder than expected. Izan Cornejo Altamirano was looked at strangely because of his appearance or because he did not have certain things.
“Children came to school with new clothes or new bicycles. I just had what my parents could afford. Then you feel: okay, I am looked at differently and treated differently because of how I am or what I have,” says the now 15-year-old Izan. He thought the children in the coastal village were spoiled.
He locked himself in his house and his parents worried that he would become depressed. “My parents also said: you get into a depression. I just didn’t want to go outside anymore, sat inside all day and did nothing,” he says.
Being able to be yourself
Then Izan discovered YUSU!, a project that helps young people with talent development through art and culture, and it flourished. During the project, the young people are involved in music, film, visual arts, theatre, fashion or photography. “From such a community it is actually an entrance for young people to be themselves,” emphasizes project leader Daniel Octavianus.
He explains why: “When young people feel heard and seen, you have activated them. And then at some point you see that they carry the community and that they carry YUSU.”
YUSU also tours throughout the province with a documentary, performances or exhibitions.
Watch Izan’s story below:
