Marcely Sánchez Díaz is a woman living in the Amazonian community of Ex Petrolero and became an official community promoter in 2019. We sat down with her to reflect on how her work as a new community promoter with Minga has impacted her life and her community.
Image of Marcely at one of the empowerment workshops for community promoters
A Commitment to Personal Development
For me, it’s very important because it helps me be prepared for all kinds of situations. And I’m a person who likes to share my knowledge, particularly with women. I don’t look at other women with contempt or judgment–if I see that they are not okay [or don’t know something] I like to help. I try to make them examine their strengths and weaknesses, and show them how they can use that knowledge to help them change their lives.
“Minga selects people who have an open heart and a willingness to serve others. Once a person is trained, they can communicate what they learned to those around them–and work to dispel some commonly held beliefs that are held within the community. For me, this is priceless and I have no desire to stop attending the training–I want to keep learning more!”
Lifting Other Women Through Knowledge
“It makes me happy to see women, like me, living in the most remote locations, who have changed their lives. Whereas before we were only concerned with working on our farms, through our training workshops, we’re now prepared for any situation. We’re stronger and better for it!
For me, this is a great accomplishment. We may not get paid but the work we do as community leaders is work from the heart–with passion and the best intentions. And as a woman, a wife, a mother, it has helped me so much. I share everything I learn with my husband, my in-laws, my friends in the community. I tell them that these things are important for our daughters, sisters, and mothers to know!”
What Minga Means to the Community
“Today, not a lot of people or organizations take the time to invest in themselves and their communities but, Minga does! The work that they do is very honorable and in my opinion, they’re the best non-profit organization in Peru!
It’s so nice that Minga has been able to see us, see our potential, and tap into the community in this way. And even though people might not be able to see it now, in the future, the impact of our work is going to continue to grow. I’ve just been so happy with the work that Minga and our communities do together.”
You can make it possible for more women living on this side of the world to be trained and empowered by making a significant donation to Minga today.
** Donations in the United States are tax-deductible and can be made through Minga Peru's fiscal sponsor, The Resource Foundation.
We thank our partners The Ashmore Foundation, Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic and the Friends of MINGA PERU for their continued support.