You know a problem has become critical when it gets a snappy name. Like the “ninis” in Honduras, young people who “ni trabaja ni estudia” — neither work nor go to school. About 24 percent of Hondurans between 12 and 24 aren’t in school or working, according to the latest numbers. That’s a problem on many levels. Many youths with nothing to do get into trouble — gangs or petty crime or early, ill-advised relationships. (About 25 per cent of births are to women, or girls, under 18.) And the country’s future prospects are blighted when such a huge portion of the population lack education and opportunity.
Some 582,000 youths are in the ‘nini’ camp.
Source: Honduras Weekly