In Quibdó, a city in the conflict-ridden Chocó region of Colombia, dance has become a powerful tool for resilience. Young people here are embracing a vibrant style called exotico—a mix of reggaeton, dancehall, and freestyle—as a way to escape the grip of poverty, gangs, and violence. Jhonnyer Andres Valencia, aka Lion, teaches dance classes and is well aware how much they offer young people.

Originally supported by USAID, the dance project provided a safe space for them to express themselves, and an alternative to crime. But now that US President Trump has suspended the agency , the project has lost its funding. Jhonnyer is continuing to teach, but without pay.

"We’re broke," he says, "but we can’t give up." His students, like Kathy Vanessa Izquierdo and Wilmer Andrés Mena Perea, say the program has changed their lives. Wilmer, once on the verge of joining a gang, says that he found purpose through performance.

The challenges in Quibdó are immense. Youth unemployment stands at 35%, and the murder rate is five times the national average. In nearby rural areas like Puerto Conto, USAID-funded farming projects have also been cut, leaving communities vulnerable. Farmers fear that without opportunities and prospects, young people will turn to gangs, organized crime, or migration.

Jhonnyer and his students are now seeking international partnerships to sustain their work—hoping for cultural exchanges with countries like Spain, Germany, or France that will allow them to continue. They have the talent and determination. All they need now is support.

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