Reality Tv Show Tries to Reform Ex-gangsters

Guatemalan television viewers can look forward to a new reality show in which 10 former gangsters live together for two weeks and learn the basic skills in accounting, customer service, human resources, sales and marketing needed to become small business owners.

The five-episode program, dubbed Challenge 10: Peace for the Ex, has been sponsored by local businesses and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and will air in March. At the end of the show, the gangsters will establish a car wash and a shoe repair businesses.

"Killing them and making them disappear is not the solution," said USAID representative Harold Sibaja. "Nor are there sufficient jails to put them all behind bars. So we have to give them a chance."

Those chosen to participate in the show had already abandoned gang life, some by joining evangelical churches. Under gang rules, religion and death are the only legitimate ways to get out of gangs.

"Many young people are able to give up gangs by joining a church, but no one will give them jobs," Mr Sibaja said. "The lack of opportunities motivates them again as gangsters."

Carlos Zuniga, the president of Guatemala’s usually conservative agricultural association, was one of the sponsors. "They have grown up hearing that they are scum, and for them to be successful as businessmen, they have to believe in themselves," he said.

Half of the gang members will dedicate themselves to washing cars in the parking lot of a housewares store in Guatemala City, while the other half establish a small shoeshine and repair shop.