Meet our Community

The Challenge

Honduras is among the most dangerous countries in Latin America. The violence has caused the forced displacement of more than 247,000 people, of whom more than 40% are children and adolescents.

The Innovation

Warriors Zulu Nation promotes social development and youth violence prevention through its arts programs and interventions.

The Impact

During 2022, Warriors Zulu Nation impacted more than 6000 young people, resulting in the consolidation of 4 Youth Artistic Collectives in the San Pedro Sula region of Honduras.

The Challenge‍

Costa Rica faces a major transformation in its political system and economic structure, compounded by national challenges. Over 85% of citizens express low trust in democratic institutions.

The Innovation‍

The Más Costa Rica Incubator develops a new generation of leaders committed to democracy and public service. Their programs strengthen future political leaders with ongoing training and networking opportunities, promoting neutrality and inclusivity.

The Impact‍

Since 2023, they have supported the leadership journeys of more than 200 young Costa Ricans working toward their country’s political future.

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The Challenge

In Mexico, children and youth perspectives in the formulation of policies are unable to effectively protect their rights.

The Innovation

REDIM convenes a network of 70 organizations in 10 states of Mexico, and advocates for a National Protection System for childhood rights.

The Impact

In 2021 , REDIM reached over  5,000 people from 34 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe through its projects "Childhood counts" and "#Proyecto26".

The Challenge‍

In Colombia, more than 400,000 people have hearing disabilities. Resources and support are limited to include them in society and address their needs.

The Innovation

‍ICAL strengthens the socio-emotional development of people with hearing disabilities. They create inclusive educational environments and provide support services in health areas. Additionally, they promote national public policies that ensure the social inclusion of these groups.

The Impact‍

Since 1962, ICAL has supported over 40,000 people with hearing disabilities in health and education areas, fostering their holistic development.

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The Challenge

In Panama, 440 children are born yearly with congenital heart disease, the leading cause of neonatal deaths worldwide.

The Innovation

Fundación Obsequio de Vida J. Thomas Ford fights for children with congenital heart problems through a children's cardio program that guarantees medical interventions, curative procedures, diagnoses, and open heart operations to survive.

The Impact

Since 1962, the Foundation's work has benefited 750 children. Each year, 12 to 15 children undergo open-heart procedures.        

The Challenge

In 2022, in El Salvador, there were more than 520,000 families in extreme poverty and without access to quality health and education services.

The Innovation

The mission of FUSAL is to improve the quality of life for Salvadorans living in poverty. Together with more than 20 local municipalities, FUSAL strengthens sustainable communities for human development.

The Impact

Since 1986, they have benefited more than 600,000 people through 700 projects, programs, and volunteering initiatives in 20 regions of El Salvador. During 2022 alone, 38 children recovered from anemia within the Early Childhood Program, and all births were born healthy at the appropriate weight.

The Challenge

Secondary school is the next big challenge in achieving universal education. By 2035, only 63% of the world's youth would have completed secondary school.

The Innovation

Educate2Envision (E2E) brings secondary education and leadership training to vulnerable youth in rural communities in Honduras with little or no government funding.

The Impact

Educate2Envision has awarded 1000+ scholarships and 30,000+ hours of community service. On average across all school sites, E2E’s graduation rate is 90% compared to 30% national average. Further, E2E model reduced out-of-pocket household expenses by over 50%.

The Challenge

In Peru, citizen participation is limited due to low levels of trust, fragmentation, and insufficient coordinated efforts to increase social well-being, political participation, and solid economic growth.

The Innovation

PerúTeQuiero acts collectively to attract, connect, and coordinate key actors to mobilize systemic changes in citizenship, mental health, and education. Through this model, they have developed four national projects: Psychological Care, School Reinforcement, Better Return, and Homeland.

The Impact

PerúTeQuiero has reached 25 regions of the country, establishing over 50 organizations and 6 action fronts. Together, their projects have strengthened education, citizen participation, and mental health for over 20,000 people nationwide.

The Challenge‍

In Guatemala, 13% of children do not complete primary school, and 26% drop out of secondary school. Dropout rates are higher among youth in indigenous and rural communities due to low-quality education.

The Innovation‍

ConnectED promotes access to and quality of education for rural youth in Central America. Through their Fellows Program tailored to community needs, young people receive seed funding, mentorship, and leadership project training.

The Impact‍

They have reached over 10,000 people since 2013, contributing to community development through digital literacy, school nutrition, and vocational training projects.

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The Challenge

In 2022, food insecurity affected over 35 million Mexicans living in vulnerable situations, a figure that continues to rise year after year.

The Innovation

The Hermosillo Food Bank rescues and distributes food according to each community's needs. Through its comprehensive impact programs, the Bank diagnoses communities, families, and institutions to plan social support strategies.

The Impact

In 2022, the Hermosillo Food Bank distributed 3.5 million kilograms of food, serving 7,000 families in 29 locations in Sonora.

The Challenge

In Puerto Rico, 52% of the 18-year-old youth live below poverty levels, and 58% of the adult population does not have a post-secondary degree. In Loiza, the Afro-Puerto Rican core, the problem deepens. Post-secondary education enrolment in Loiza is 16% points below Puerto Rico’s enrolment.

The Innovation

ColaborativoPR provides opportunities for students from Loiza, Puerto Rico, facing poverty and inequality to obtain post-secondary education.

The Impact

ColaborativoPR is succeeding in linking Loiza’s youth to education. In 2018, 173 students graduated from Loiza's public high schools, representing a 7% increase in enrolment. 80% rated their first year of post-secondary studies as excellent. 94% of ColaborativoPR alumni matriculated in post-secondary education, and 74% continued after their first year.

The Challenge‍

High-potential youth from diverse backgrounds often cannot access leadership paths due to limited resources or education.

The Innovation‍

LALA identifies high-potential youth and develops their skills to transform them into community leaders. Alumni join a lifelong community, working together to address Latin America's most pressing challenges.

The Impact‍

LALA has developed over 1,300 youth leaders, 70% from underrepresented backgrounds. 56% of alumni have launched social projects reaching over 85,000 people. Of those pursuing undergraduate studies, 57% have collectively secured scholarships worth over $7 million.

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The Challenge

In Peru, one out of every 700 children is born with cleft lip and/or palate. However, the costs of reconstructive surgery and treatment are difficult to afford for people with low resources.

The Innovation

Misión Caritas Felices provides free treatments to achieve complete rehabilitation of patients with cleft lip and palate, focusing on those with low economic resources nationwide.

The Impact

Since 2018, Misión Caritas Felices has impacted over 3,000 people with reconstructive surgery. Additionally, they educate the national society about cleft lip and palate from a medical and psychological perspective.

The Challenge‍

In Peru, 8 out of 10 people needing mental health care do not receive treatment.

The Innovation‍

De-Mentes promotes mental health through awareness and anti-stigma campaigns. They aim to highlight stories of resilience and dismantle stigmas surrounding mental health diagnoses.

The Impact‍

Since 2016, they have provided support services to over 70,000 people, helping to break myths and destigmatize mental health issues.

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The Challenge

65% of Guatemalan youth don’t work or study and are at risk. Lacking resources or developing opportunities, at-risk youth are at a greater vulnerability to substance abuse, school failure, or juvenile delinquency. Conversely, with adequate support, they will build a better future for themselves, enhancing community resilience.

The Innovation

SERES empowers youth to become influential leaders capable of creating a lasting positive impact in communities in Central America.

The Impact

Since 2009, SERES has reached 5,500+ youth, facilitated 110+ programs, and supported hundreds of community action plans that address pressing challenges in their communities.