Blog

For the past eight years, Nelsa Curbelo has worked with youth gangs in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Through her work rival gangs have formed truces, turned in their weapons, given up crime and have started working together to rebuild the community. During our February trip to Ecuador, we spent two days with Nelsa and the kids she works with, talking to them about their experiences and witnessing the amazing transformation taking place in their neighborhoods.

Nelsa is a strong and powerful woman whose dedication to her work with the kids and gangs was an inspiration to us. Her belief in the power of love and service has brought hope to this troubled city and given the gang members a chance for a new future.

The music in the film is based on original hip-hop tracks, produced by the gang members we met. Working with LA-based film composer, Scott Salinas, we developed a score that captured the energy of the streets while staying true to the beats of Barrio de Paz.

Watch the film here.