Author: Scott Owen Moore

Creativity is Justice in Action

I once read a quote: “I’m not a product of my circumstances, I am a product of my decisions.”

That phrase stuck with me like a splinter. Irritating. Uncomfortable. Demanding attention.

Why does it bother me?

Because it oversimplifies a complex reality.

Yes, personal responsibility matters. But opportunity shapes decisions—and opportunity is not evenly distributed.

I was born in the wealthiest nation in history. I had loving parents, access to education, and the freedom to make choices, with a safety net in case I needed it. That’s privilege.

But for millions, privilege isn’t an option.

DSC05932-girl_at_terminal — A young girl at the Terminal Dump in Guatemala City. Photo by Scott Owen Moore.

When Survival is the Only Choice

For years, through our nonprofit Athentikos, I’ve been immersed in stories of people forced to make impossible choices—children born into war, families ripped apart by violence, communities crushed by poverty.

A young girl scavenging in the Guatemala City garbage dump doesn’t get to choose between college and a gap year—she’s choosing between finding food and going hungry.

Are these people products of their decisions?

Yes. But when survival is the only goal, decisions aren’t about future success—they’re about making it through another day.

That’s why justice requires more than opportunity. It requires imagination.

Children Playing at the Terminal Dump in Guatemala City. Photo by Scott Owen Moore.

Creativity: The Engine of Justice

The world changes when people dare to see beyond their current circumstances.

Justice isn’t just about breaking chains. It’s about creating new paths forward.

The abolition of slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and the fight for human rights did not happen simply because of laws. They happened because people first imagined a different world and used creativity to make it real.

Because creativity is justice in action.

It allows us to envision a reality that doesn’t yet exist—and then build it.

✨ Creativity sees beyond limitation.
✨ Creativity multiplies opportunity.
✨ Creativity empowers us to rewrite the story.

Think about it:

Creativity fueled the Civil Rights Movement—where art, music, and speeches painted a picture of a just world before laws ever changed.
Creativity empowers children in under-resourced communities to reimagine their future. Through painting, music, and storytelling, they turn survival into self-expression.
Creativity drives global justice today—murals in refugee camps, protest songs that rally movements, films that expose hidden injustices. Art opens minds, builds empathy, and sparks change.
Creativity fuels entrepreneurship—giving people in struggling communities the ability to innovate, create jobs, and restore dignity in places where opportunities were once out of reach.

Justice doesn’t just fight oppression—it creates new possibilities.

And creativity is the force that drives it forward.

Choosing to Create a Just Future

As someone with opportunity and privilege, I choose to use my creativity to lift others who have less.

Through creativity, I choose to dream beyond my own story—to share a greater narrative of grace, mercy, and redemption through a Creator who loved us enough to create a way to restore us.

Now it’s your turn.

Creativity is worship. Creativity is healing. Creativity is justice.

Let’s not just talk about it—let’s create together.

Join Athentikos: I AM ART—a movement using creativity to heal, empower, and build a more just world.

athentikos circumstances creativity I Am Art justice opportunity

Becoming Fools Deleted Scene: Panchorizo

Many scenes in a documentary change during the editing process, while some end up on the cutting room floor. Over the course of two years, we captured 5 terabytes of footage for “Becoming Fools,” giving us a wealth of material to work with. I spent about ten months wrestling with the footage as I edited the story, concentrating on the journey of street youth preparing for a theatrical event on a professional stage. One scene that ultimately got cut was the Panchorizo Event.

Panchorizo is an incredibly talented entertainer in Guatemala, performing as a comedian, acrobat, and musician for audiences of all ages. During our program, Becoming Fools, we took several street youths to see his performance at the Guatemalan National Theatre to inspire them. Panchorizo started his journey performing on the streets of Guatemala and has now become a full-time professional artist, consistently selling out shows. I was truly motivated by the scene: the youth got a glimpse of what is possible when someone dedicates themselves to their passion and works hard. However, sometimes we need to let go of things we enjoy.

Panchorizo was originally supposed to have a significant role in the film “Becoming Fools.” However, due to his busy work schedule, he didn’t have the availability to join the cast. As a result, the only scene he filmed was quite fun and full of laughs. In the editing process, we ultimately decided that this scene didn’t advance the story, so we cut it from the final film. Thankfully, we can still share it in this format.

Wrestling With Thanksgiving

I’m wrestling with Thanksgiving.

I’m not wearing a Lucha Libre mask, leaping high off the ropes to grapple a turkey—although that would be epic. I’m actually talking about being honest with myself regarding what I’m thankful for.

Typically, I express gratitude for the good things in my life: God, family, food, shelter, health, education, friends, travel—things that warm my heart and bring a smile to my face.

But what about the other stuff? What about the things that have angered me, saddened me, or hurt me? Am I thankful for those experiences? Depending on my perspective (and sometimes my lack of one), I can find lessons in anything.

I’ve been immersed in the “Becoming Fools” project for the last three years. It’s been a stressful journey, and I’ve found myself growing increasingly exhausted and less thankful for the opportunity to be involved. I used to feel similarly about “Reparando,” but that changed over time after we released the film.

Like most people, I forget too easily.

During my scouting trip for “Becoming Fools” in 2011, Tita personally invited me to attend a screening of “Reparando.” I was honored by the invitation, but I was also exhausted from two weeks of 16-hour days spent interviewing people and capturing footage in Guatemala City. Part of me wanted to just return to my room and sleep. I couldn’t understand why my presence mattered. I thought, “I am just a silly Gringo; they won’t care. Besides, I’m here for ‘Becoming Fools,’ not ‘Reparando.'”

But Tita was persistent. She genuinely wanted me to come. So, we drove straight from our production site across the city to a church near La Limonada. Tita met us outside the church with hugs, and we watched the film from the back of the room.

After the film ended, Tita called Shorty and me to come up to the front. She hugged me, and while everyone was clapping, they presented a gift from the people of La Limonada: a T-shirt covered with signatures from the residents of La Limonada. These were people who were very thankful for the film we made. I realized I could not have been more wrong about many things.

My perspective was renewed.

“Reparando” brought me closer to many important aspects of life—God, family, friends, education, and travel. On a personal level, it helped me understand my sons’ stories in a way I could never grasp otherwise. On a broader scale, “Reparando” has inspired countless resources that have supported missions, blessing people who struggle far more than I can imagine—people who are genuinely grateful.

I believe “Becoming Fools” will eventually have a similar impact. So why am I wrestling with feelings of gratitude over “Becoming Fools”? I’m human, and I forget. That’s why we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds—continuously refocusing our perspectives on the truth. We often forget, which is one of the reasons we celebrate Thanksgiving: to remember. I find myself personally challenged to recall things that might not easily fit into a warm and fuzzy Thanksgiving narrative. Most of the time, I just try to fit these experiences into the wrong perspective.

Here’s the essential message:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Everything fits within the Thanksgiving framework when viewed from the right perspective. It’s not easy, but I hope that if I keep working at it, gratitude will ultimately prevail.

What aspects of Thanksgiving do you struggle with?

Homeless Youth Aren’t Always Orphans

Homeless youth aren’t always orphans.

“Becoming Fools” documents the intriguing story of homeless youth in Guatemala who are learning to heal through the art of clowning. During the production, we formed friendships with young people who began living on the streets as early as age seven. Through these interactions, we gained valuable insights into their issues.

One of the most profound revelations is that many of these youths, despite having families they could return to, choose to continue living on the streets. Some children lose their families, but many others prefer street life—sleeping in the rain, scavenging for food in dumpsters, disconnecting from society, constantly facing the threat of harm, and falling into the traps of drug addiction or prostitution—rather than going home to a roof and the company of family.

Why do they make this choice? Often, it’s because the violent city streets feel more peaceful than the homes they left behind. This reality is difficult to comprehend, especially for someone like me who grew up in a healthy family environment.

Many of these youths were born into extreme conditions that perpetuate cycles of drug addiction, child labor, violence, and abuse, unless a significant change occurs to break this cycle.

“Becoming Fools” features stories of youth who fled to the streets for various reasons, yet their experiences are strikingly similar. Mefi lost both of his parents when he was just 7 years old and ended up living with an abusive family member. Sandy was sent to the streets at a young age to sell candy and help provide for her family; she faced beatings if she didn’t return home with her required earnings. Raul lost his mother at a young age and lived with his alcoholic father, who abused him repeatedly. Although they all have family connections, these family members are abusive. At home, they are guaranteed to be mistreated, so the streets offer at least a small chance of peace.

The situation in Guatemala is incredibly challenging and lacks straightforward solutions. One major issue is the current lack of a strong culture of adoption and foster care in the country. However, it’s important to note that these children are not orphans. There is also a significant deficiency in social services programs, which often lack the necessary funding and resources to provide intervention.

Moreover, Guatemala faces rampant violence, and many people mistakenly equate homeless youth with violent delinquents, such as gang members or drug traffickers. This perception leads to a neglect of opportunities to help these vulnerable individuals. As a consequence, many of these youth remain unnoticed as they navigate the streets in search of survival.

Not all hope is lost. There are organizations actively addressing the issue, developing relationships with these youths, and working with them on a daily basis in the hopes of healing and transforming their lives. During the production of “Becoming Fools,” we witnessed firsthand how these “fools” dedicate their passion to the challenging task of rescuing and rehabilitating homeless youth. On one occasion, several organizations collaborated to allow street youth from Guatemala City to perform a clown show for orphans outside of Antigua. Part of this event was included in the final cut of the film, and its symbolic significance continues to resonate with me: homeless youth bringing joy to orphans, organizations coming together, and joy triumphing over tragedy.

Encouragement

Encouragement is a blessing. In this age of Twitter and Facebook, a handwritten letter is a treasure chest full of gold that fills the emotional bank of our hearts.

Yesterday, I opened a letter addressed to Athentikos from Pennsylvania. We typically don’t receive much mail from people, so this was already a unique experience. Inside the envelope was a check and a handwritten letter that read:

“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moore,

I viewed your documentary, Reparando, last evening on Hulu Plus and was moved by the conditions depicted in it and the work being done to address them. Praise God! Enclosed is a gift of $25, which I will send each month for the next year…”

I was unprepared for this encouragement, and my eyes filled with tears. The emotional bank of my heart has long been overdrawn after investing myself in Becoming Fools—a worthy but underfunded project that has required a personal investment from me for the last three years. To be honest, at this point in production, it’s easy to get discouraged and feel as though the last three years have been a waste of time. It feels like we’ve put something on layaway, making payments every month, but we’ll never get to bring it home.

Three years is a long time, especially in an age when we receive instant feedback. We can drive to a fast-food window and get food in seconds. We can instantly watch any one of thousands of movies or TV shows, and if we don’t like one, we can quickly switch to another. It’s easy to forget why we do what we do when we focus solely on finishing tasks, particularly when we become insulated and isolated from our original motivations.

We produced Becoming Fools to share it with an audience—not for the sake of receiving praise, but to inspire others to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.

I am grateful for this letter of encouragement. It highlights the power of storytelling, underscores the importance of our mission, and reminds me that our efforts are not in vain. This individual has fueled our spirits with encouraging words and financial support, helping us amplify authenticity and extend the mission of other organizations serving those in need worldwide. The irony is that this person felt moved to encourage us after watching Reparando on Hulu—a film we released three years ago, the same duration we have invested in Becoming Fools. Perhaps three years isn’t such a long investment when we consider that stories can be passed down through generations, yielding a return greater than we can ever fully comprehend. It is worth it.

This handwritten letter of encouragement is a treasure chest full of gold.

Why Athentikos? Authenticity.

We wanted to help people in need around the world, but we realized that we aren’t doctors, lawyers, or engineers. We are creatives—artists, musicians, photographers, filmmakers, storytellers, and more. So, we decided to embrace our authentic selves on our mission. By using our creativity, we aim to inspire a diverse audience, including doctors, lawyers, and engineers, to come together and make the world a better place.

We believe that storytelling has the power to highlight important issues, connect people with opportunities to contribute to meaningful efforts, and amplify resources for our mission. To channel our talents and passion effectively, we established a non-profit organization that leverages the power of narrative to positively impact the lives of those in need around the world.

It’s all about Authenticity.

In examining the problem and honestly assessing our capabilities, we identified our limitations. However, this is not a negative thing. Understanding what we cannot do allows us to concentrate on what we can do and to do it with excellence. Embracing our limitations also encourages us to collaborate with others who offer different strengths, as we recognize that we can’t achieve everything on our own. We can excel in our areas of expertise while partnering with those who excel in theirs. Ultimately, we’re just a small part of something much larger.

It’s not only about what we do; it’s also about being true to our identity and finding peace in that truth. We are not merely cogs in a wheel. Our strengths and weaknesses, passions and sorrows, faith and doubts, history and dreams—these characteristics shape our identity, and our identity is important.

I really like this definition of authentic: having a verified origin supported by undeniable evidence. Undeniable—that is a strong word. An example that comes to mind is a one-cent coin—a penny.

You can’t do much with a single Penny … that’s why we usually spend them with other Pennies.

There is no doubt who created the penny and to whom it belongs: the United States of America. Furthermore, ignoring the recent economic situation, their value is clear—they are worth one cent. If they appear in Spain or Sudan, they still point back to their country of origin.

Athentikos was born from our identity. We believe that the desires of our hearts are gifts from a God who loves us and wants us to generously share our identity to serve the least, the last, and the lost.

When we’re authentic to our identity, our origin is unquestionable.

When we are authentic within a community, our lives complement each other in a sum greater than the individual parts—a diversity in unity that can only be explained by the overwhelming grace of God crafting a larger narrative.

Father’s Day and a Becoming Fools Related Anniversary

Coincidentally, June 16, 2013 was Father’s Day and a Becoming Fools related anniversary.

As I celebrate being a dad, I also reflect on the purpose of our film. A year ago, street youth performed alongside professional entertainers on a Broadway stage as part of the project “Becoming Fools.” Here is an excerpt from the opening narration:

“When I was a kid, it felt great when my parents came to watch me in a sport or play. Think back … Chances are, someone was there for you too, rooting you on with a smile. Someone was your number one fan, encouraging you to never give up.

But what if things were different?

What if … instead of rooting you on, your parents abused you … or what if they weren’t even there at all? How would that have changed your life? What opportunities would you have missed? For some, this “different reality”, really isn’t different. It’s all they’ve ever known …”

I am thankful for my dad and proud to be a father to my sons from Guatemala.

When I tuck my kids into bed at night, I’m reminded that many children in Guatemala—and around the world—do not have a bed to sleep in and may not have celebrated Father’s Day with their dads. That’s why we created “Becoming Fools,” to help make a difference.

Here’s a bonus feature, a scene from the Voz de las Calles Show.

Prodigal Clown – Scene – 03 from Athentikos on Vimeo.

Fathers

The Implosion of Becoming Fools

A year ago today, we were in Guatemala documenting the implosion of Becoming Fools.

We were three days away from a big theatrical event called “Voz de las Calles”, which was the culmination of five months of rehearsals with street youth and professional entertainers. The road had not been entirely smooth. In fact, there were some major hurdles along the way. But, with the help of gracious volunteers, it looked like they were going to pull it off.

And then … three days before the show, the bottom dropped out …

One of the street youth with a leading role in the play had been in drug rehabilitation for a year. Three days before the show, he left his rehab and went back to the streets to consume drugs. My heart was broken. This guy wasn’t a “street youth” to me – he was a friend. I was rooting for him and his peers as they wrestled towards their goal of performing on a Guatemalan Broadway Stage.

A year ago today, we didn’t know if they would be able to pull it off. It seemed impossible:

Most of the cast were youth who still lived in the streets
The original director wrecked his motorcycle and couldn’t continue with the project
Funds had not been raised to pay for the theater rental
The cast had never finished the entire play in rehearsal
One of the lead characters left the show 3 days before the event

05.31.13_02 — The cast rehearses a symbolic scene where the hero is attacked by shadows.

05.31.13_03 — This is probably how Roberto, the theatrical director felt, as he tried to pull the show together in three days.

05.31.13_04 — Scott Moore documents the implosion of Becoming Fools, on his knees.

05.31.13_05 — A tired cast receives notes after rehearsal.

05.31.13_06 — The night ended with conflict as one of the cast members quit the show.

We didn’t know what would happen a year ago, but we all walked forward in faith .. Becoming Fools.

We captured a beautiful story that walks a tightrope between tragedy and comedy.

Fast forward to today …

We feel much like we did a year ago. It seems impossible.

We never raised the money needed to finish the film. But we believed in the project, so we subsidized it with our blood, sweat, tears, and personal savings.

The good news is that the film is finished.

The bad news is that so is our funding.

We need your help to share the story.

Will you join us in Becoming Fools and give a tax-deductible donation to help us release the film?

Faith Perseverance

Tamagochy

Tamagochy is a Guatemalan icon renowned for performing on the historic streets of Antigua, Guatemala. During our scouting trip in 2011, we saw him perform and were amazed by his creative talent. At first, we noticed the crowd gathered around him and wondered what was happening. As we approached to investigate, we quickly realized we were witnessing a master at work. Before we knew it, the crowd had drawn us in as more people joined behind us.

As a filmmaker, I pulled out my camera to capture his antics. Naturally, Tamagochy immediately engaged with me and invited me to join his performance. I remember thinking, “It would be fantastic if someone like him could be part of Becoming Fools.” However, at that time, we didn’t have a clear vision for the film. I didn’t want to extend an invitation in case it fell through. So, I chose to remain silent. Walking away without saying anything was difficult because I recognized Tamagochy’s potential. I regretted that decision for the rest of the scouting trip.

After getting home, I reviewed Tamagochy’s footage and once more felt a pang of regret for not reaching out to him. I couldn’t believe I had met him in person and failed to mention anything about the film. I didn’t get his contact information, nor did I ask him to sign a release form. As a result, this footage would never see the light of day. And then…

About a month after returning home, I received an email from Tamagochy …

He heard about the Becoming Fools project and wanted to help. I sat there in awe of what had just happened. I hadn’t said a word and had no idea how to contact him. But that didn’t matter; Tamagochi reached out to us!

Tamagochy is an outstanding talent. However, he did not approach his role with arrogance. Instead, he joined the team as a humble servant, volunteering his time because he recognized the challenges the youth were facing. He has proven to be an invaluable asset to both the street youth and the Becoming Fools story.

If you are ever in Antigua, Guatemala, make sure you take some time to enjoy his street performance … When he passes the hat, tip him well, knowing that you are helping an incredible artist continue to make the world a better place.

Here’s a scene from the Becoming Fools Theatrical event with Tamagochy and Toñito – both are featured in the documentary, Becoming Fools.

Prodigal Clown – Scene 2

Antigua Becoming Fools Mime Tamagochy

Prodigal Clown – A Symbolic Story of Their Lives

On June 16, 2012, street youth joined professional entertainers to present a symbolic story of their lives and honor a fallen hero. Professional clown Italo Castro dedicated himself to mentoring street youth and became a father figure to many, even opening his home to them. Tragically, he drowned in 2011. In light of his death, a group of Italo’s friends vowed to continue his dream and began meeting weekly to train and prepare for a theatrical event.

After five months of rehearsals and many setbacks, the cast presented their story on the grand stage of Teatro Abril in Guatemala City to an audience of several hundred people. Athentikos documented the rehearsals and the theatrical event for the upcoming documentary, *Becoming Fools*, which will be released later this year.

Here is a short scene from the theatrical event, featuring professional clown, Alfonso Ralda performing alongside José “Toñito” Tumax, a youth rescued from the streets. Stay tuned for more scenes from the theatrical event and the premiere of the documentary, “Becoming Fools”.