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Let's admit it. When we see strong guys
from different ethic backgrounds, listening to hip hop in a park,
it's intimidating.
So, we need to change our mindset.
This is Dosel.
On three, Dosel: One! Two! Three!
Dosel!
Dosel left the education system
to work in the construction industry,
like many other youngsters.
But he lost his job.
To get back on the job market
he wanted to enrol in the courses which would make him more employable.
But Dosel had prematurely ended his studies
so he didn't meet the minimum requirements
to get in those courses.
Dosel came across something on the internet called Street Workout.
What's Street Workout?
Street Workout's a sport
which uses public areas
and outdoor facilities.
You workout with your body weight.
It's known as calisthenics, which is a Greek word.
The Street Workout we know today,
was born in the United States
and includes military exercises.
Groups like 'Ruff Riders'
... at this time Street Workout was known as 'Thug Workout'.
But don't worry about the name, here we wouldn't even
hurt a fly.
They did basic exercises.
Thanks to the emergence of 'Bartenders'
the social aspect of Street Workout was incorporated.
They also made the exercises creative.
Jaien, its founder, took it upon himself
to convert Street Workout into a tool to fight against
street crime on the streets of New York.
But let's go back to Dosel.
Dosel...
...went to the park to train.
He saw some of 'Ruff Riders' and 'Batenders' videos
on YouTube.
They motivated him.
They gave him motivation and made him practice the sport
while, at the same time,
turning it into a passion.
A passion which would help him
improve his situation.
He was going through a bad time
looking for employment.
This is where I come in.
Because Dosel said to me: "it makes me feel good."
"... it's helping me".
So I thought, if it helps Dosel, it could help others.
This is how I got the idea
to start a project.
Therefore, helping not only Dosel,
but also other youths.
That's what we did.
We got to work and
founded a 'One Africa' initiative.
So, we got the project running.
We developed the social aspect of Bartenders.
Dosel went to the park and trained.
The park was on an estate (barrio); so we came up with our name: Barbarrio.
After three, Barbarrio! One! Two! Three!
Barbarrio!
So, we went to the park to train.
Dosel... Obviously training alone can get boring.
He encouraged others to get involved,
to go train,
and more and more people came along and got involved.
But what I said at the start was true:
the neighbours were intimidated.
Prejudices. Stereotypes.
And institutions didn't take us very seriously
because we were kids from the streets.
So we said our main objective
should be to break these stereotypes.
But how would we go about this?
How would we reach our goals?
We devised a strategy.
The first stage of our strategy
would consist of a party.
A birthday party.
At the birthday party we would not only promote
the project's values,
we would also improve the reputation of hip hop
and its culture.
Because we mustn't forget that Street Workout's also a part
of hip hop culture.
We would also be promoting Street Workout
and offering opportunities to the general public
in a safe and fun environment which is suitable for all.
We compete at an international level
but we also organise both national
and international competitions.
We design projects both nationally and abroad
and, in fact, there's one foreign project in particular
that touches me more than any other
which is the project we run in Equatorial Guinea.
What we want from this project is for local youths
to be able to identify their issues
and needs
and to use Street Workout to find a solution to these problems.
But we're not only in Equatorial Guinea.
We're also in Ukraine and Mexico.
In Spain we're in Almeria. In Madrid we're in the city centre, the south.
Parla, Leganes.
For a good 3 years, we've been
breaking down barriers
Now the neighbours know and respect us.
We have got involved with neighbourhood associations.
We have plans under way with local governments and NGOs.
We've participated in talks and cultural events.
We've performed at festivals
and, as I previously mentioned, in talks like this one.
Who would have thought I'd be speaking at a TEDx event?
So we also give speeches.
We also give speeches in schools
And now you must be thinking: "She's speaking a lot. She must be one of those".
Well, I am.
After three, Sese: One! Two! Three!
Sese!
Well...
I still haven't finished.
But thanks.
So yeah. This has helped us all a lot.
We've developed in many ways, but, most of all, the personal aspect.
We've acquired new skills.
Public speaking, managerial, organisational skills...
We have promoted education. We don't want to stop meeting people,
studying or learning.
We have travelled.
And, thanks to our travels, we have got to know other cultures...
...new people. And we've managed all this
because we always believed
in ourselves.
We never stopped believing in ourselves.
So we'd encourage you all to get out in your streets
to make your dreams a reality, to conquer your fears
and to make your street a much more interesting place to be.
I'm sure it can be.
Barbarrio!
Thank you.