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.