Creation of environmental committee at El Salvador's La Paz department

Last May SERES opened the Youth Leaders for the Pachamama congress at a beautiful community from San Juan Nonualco's municipality in La Paz department. San Antonio La Laguneta's community is located on the slopes of San Vicente (also known as Chinchontepeque) volcano. It's dominant crops are coffee and citrus fruits due to high altitude and very cool climate. When seen from afar, these crops look as if they were a natural forest. “It was really nice to arrive at this community during a summer's day. The mist that ascends from the community could still be seen, and at times, prevented me from viewing the volcano. The pacific ocean can be seen from this spot. However, I couldn't see it today because mist is the only thing visible. Being able to be here makes me very happy. I never thought to find this type of weather, on this season, in a place with such a sweltering heat and so close to the sea.”                                                                                                                                              Antonio Sanchez San Antonio La Laguneta's youth is a valuable asset. Everyone knows each other because they have been living here since birth. Previous generations, even their grandparents, are also part of the community. As facilitators, working alongside these youth group made us realize that organizing a community is the foundation which enables a communitarian approach. The participants are closely united, willing to work together and speaking about community engagement as a whole. They have expressed, since the beginning, a desire of witnessing an improved community. One which is cleaner and where people become accountable for their actions at a greater level. Moreover, they are confident about this process. Now they are drawing their viewpoints, dreams, ideals and own transformation. San Antonio La Laguneta's youth wants to make the changes through community involvement. They also want to encourage community members by setting an example as a young leaders. In only 3 days they have become known within the community's school. This school has already shown their interest in working with the committee. During one of the 3 congress nights they decided to make a documentary presentation at the central park. As a result, a lot of people had the opportunity to become familiar with what they are learning. The youth of San Antonio La Laguneta submitted their action plans at the end of the third day of the congress. They decided to set up a group of young environmentalists who have become the pioneers of this important community work. The group already has 24 members between 16 to 30 years of age. “It was something wonderful; I learnt to respect and interact more with young people. I learnt to listen carefully in addition of having learnt about how to take care of my world.”                                                                                                                                                      Miguel Ángel Domínguez  If you believe, you can. “La Laguneta's environmental committee” is proving that they want and they can take action to change their reality. Youth, welcome to this great learning and adventure journey. Enjoy!