"I felt less worthy than them"

“I participated in the construction of the youth agenda. This effort was really well organized and we were all really excited to make it the best possible agenda”

“My most significant change occurred on July 28, 2007, when I began to work as a young organizer in my community.

A group of friends encouraged me. At the beginning, I didn’t think it was going to work out. I’m not very serious. I felt a little lazy, but my friends encouraged me and I was able to get over the problem of my laziness.

I felt less worthy than them, because they met more often and talked about the organization and who was supporting them. On the other hand, I was nothing back then. I was a nobody to them and to myself.

My way of thinking changed completely. Over time, I became a very animated person. I began to meet new people. I improved my vocabulary and my self-esteem. I learned about new ideas, and some projects that I had abandoned were reborn in me with greater force, such as my studies. Now I have many ideas and am very excited. My parents have supported me. They always encourage me to put more effort into my obligations as a young organizer.

I’ve been able to grow within the organization in which we work, probably because I’ve put my heart into it. Some of my friends got discouraged when some institutional technicians played dirty with them. For example, they would organize us and then abandon us. There was no follow-up. It was as if they were using us just to earn their salary.

When UNAG-Matagalpa arrived with the Campesino-to-Campesino Program, we were completely discouraged. We didn’t want to participate in anything. However, they gained our respect. They showed concern, took things seriously and did what they said they’d do. They complied. That’s what we liked most: that they tell it like it is.

Sometimes, there are younger people who don’t ask questions and are left with doubts and concerns. I’ve noticed this, and I’ll tell them: ‘Pay attention, listen, do your part.’ I encourage them so that, little by little, we all improve together, all of us equally.

I participated in the construction of the youth agenda. This effort was really well organized and we were all really excited to make it the best possible agenda. We then presented it to the candidates running for municipal government.

With institutions, we propose that they put themselves in our place, because sometimes they’re very insistent. Maybe they’ll want us to meet with them two or three times per week, but sometimes we have other commitments. They shouldn’t play around with campesinos, because a campesino can also see, feel and has the same brain as anyone else. They shouldn’t feel like they’re any better than the campesinos just because they have college degrees. As people, we all have the same rights.”