Stories of Change

What motivated me the most [to improve the hardware store] was that the community would have all the aqueduct accessories, whatever they need to have water in their homes; what they are going to look for elsewhere, we have here in the village.

During the training process I've learned many things I didn't know would be useful for my company. For me, the support I've received means a lot. I thank the Water for ConvidArte Project because with their help, I will move forward and achieve my goals as a micro-entrepreneur in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.

Thanks to Water for ConvidArte project support, I am now a great entrepreneur. One day I dreamed of being a great professional and entrepreneur. Today, thanks to Water for ConvidArte project it's a reality and I can give a better economic stability to my children.

I feel committed to replicate what I learned in my community. In all the activities with the artistic groups I have give to the community. I'm a teacher and I have to be an example for my children, the example mobilizes, and being able to transmit through art to my community and the whole world simple actions such as washing hands, and learning to treat water to have better hygiene and health, makes me so happy.

It caught my attention when they told us the training was about how we could help each other, how we could work in the future, and more important, how to understand people and how people could understand us.

If all of us were Leaders of Change, how would Mexico be? (Elisa is a female puppeteer, she gave voice to the character "La llorona" and has participated in the two editions of the Art Fair and the mural created in her community).

The most beautiful thing about being a Leader of Change is that your family recognizes you, they support you, they give you the opportunity to help, to learn, to improve yourself. Also, the community sees you, that you work hard, you put your heart into it; and yes, you motivate other people.

The Guanajuato Project's strategy for strengthening the value chain is something innovative, which has a positive impact and reinforces the infrastructure work done in the communities. This may also have a positive impact on Guanajuato's Secretariat of Social and Human Development, as it seeks to improve the living conditions of people in marginalized areas.

At that time [before having the new facilities] it was a problem because the latrines were in bad condition and the patients didn't like to use them; it has been quite a significant advance, it has helped us even in the time we are living now with the pandemic.

I do my best to provide decent care to my patients. The biggest difficulty was the lack of latrines, which are essential in a health center. Now we have flush toilets and showers.

One of the best moments I was able to experience in the workshops as a Leader of Change was when the facilitator promoted us and was always encourage us that we could learn to modulate our voice. I always participate; I work as president of the CAPS (Water and Sanitation Committee) and in the assembly I need that voice and that has helped me a lot.

My contribution is to encourage and support my community. Now many people say 'the youth is lost' and it is not true; we the youth, are the change.

We used to have to call a plumber to fix the problem, no matter how small it was. It's great to know that now, when we have a problem, we can fix it ourselves.

I ask the women in my community to participate as well as the men. We must know the needs of our community in order to be useful and supportive later on.

I want people to collaborate so the board continues to function, because it is an autonomous authority where it is crucial to understand the value of our contribution.

We [community mothers] teach that we should keep the water safe for consumption and that we should not misuse it, because it is a resource that can run out. Also, that we must comply with the payment, because we pay for the water supply service, not for the water itself. There is a whole system that works to provide us with water and whose functioning depends on us.

I feel like family with my fellow [water] committee members; there is respect and support. Ever since I was little I wanted to be part of a similar group. The first job I did when I joined the committee was to be in charge of trenching the pipeline.

There were no projects like this before. We heard some projects were coming, but in other villages. I thought it'd be difficult to do one in the community, but when it came out, it was a very nice project. The support of the engineers [from Water For People, executing partner of Quiché Program] was very good. Now everything is very good in the community because we have water at home and that benefits all the families.

I thank my neighbors and my husband for their support during the toilet construction. Having it close to the house gives me peace of mind because it's a safe place.