Climbing the borders

Climbing the borders

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Rory Smith, co-founder of Escalando Fronteras (Climbing Borders), climbs a communication tower in Lomas Modelo, Monterrey.

Since 2014, the group has worked with about 100 young people in the city that is known as Mexico’s business capital, but is also famous for battling with corruption and crime.

. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

The gang-infested neighbourhood of Lomas Modelo is built on a hill and resembles a maze, which makes police surveillance difficult.

Escalando Fronteras say they use rock-climbing and education to provide the areas young people with tools to pursue lives outside drugs, gangs and organized crime.

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Slideshow

Children play at the roof of an abandoned building in Lomas Modelo.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Children play at the roof of an abandoned building in Lomas Modelo.

Children play soccer.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Children play soccer.

A boy sniffs toluene as members of the Escalando Fronteras recruit participants.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

A boy sniffs toluene as members of the Escalando Fronteras recruit participants.

A young participant of the Escalando Fronteras project walks in the streets of Lomas Modelo.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

A young participant of the Escalando Fronteras project walks in the streets of Lomas Modelo.

Rory Smith (left), co-founder of Escalando Fronteras, chats with a participant at his home.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Rory Smith (left), co-founder of Escalando Fronteras, chats with a participant at his home.

Participants joke as they get ready to rock climb.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Participants joke as they get ready to rock climb.

Rory Smith congratulates a young participant.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Rory Smith congratulates a young participant.

A participant climbs up a rock.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

A participant climbs up a rock.

Members of Escalando Fronteras arrange their equipment after a rock climbing at La Huasteca park.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Members of Escalando Fronteras arrange their equipment after a rock climbing at La Huasteca park.

Members of the Escalando Fronteras walk the streets in Lomas Modelo.
. Monterrey, Mexico. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Members of the Escalando Fronteras walk the streets in Lomas Modelo.