“We must remain organized”

“We know how to reach an institution and what to discuss with its representatives. We have identified our needs and can prioritize them with the community”

“As an adolescent, I feel that I’m important to the community. I am heard, recognized by other leaders.

The most significant change I’ve experienced has involved the ability to join in the cooperative’s organization. This has made it possible for me to coordinate with other youth, to learn to relate with institutions, and to learn how to make and follow up on demands. I have participated in the cooperative’s forums and in a camping event, and I’ve worked as a youth promoter, carrying out activities with adolescents and adults from the community. Through the organization, I’m involved in the local Río Jucuapa Watershed Committee.

Now I know about the institutions. I know what work they do. I call on other people in the community to do advocacy work, and they go with me. We know how to reach an institution and what to discuss with its representatives. We have identified our needs and can prioritize them with the community. We know what type of project can help our youth and adults. We must remain organized. Someone must always follow up on the community’s demands.

One of the difficulties I’ve faced is that, because I’m a woman, I put myself at risk by wanting to mobilize. It’s not the same for a man. We women have equal rights, but some men have a little more power because they can go wherever they please, but we women cannot.

At the start, I began by myself. Now other young women go because I encourage them. I talk with them and give them in-depth follow-up. I tell them that they mustn’t just stay put but rather get out and meet other people.

In some cases, people tell me I’m important because I’ve brought projects to the community. But I don’t think I’m better than anyone else. Other people criticize me and say we’re vagabonds, that we’re out wasting time, that we don’t get paid for our efforts.

We women have the right to participate, to decide, to be taken into account in decision making. Our rights must be respected.”