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Youth Storytellers

Groundswell International’s 2022 Year in Review

As another year comes to an end, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made this year. 2022 was a big year for Groundswell International, our partner organizations, and our program communities, as we saw continued successes and instances of resiliency throughout the communities we serve. The year also saw our message of how agroecology is central to building healthy farming and food systems from the ground up spread further than ever before.

Take a moment to reflect with us on some of our favorite projects, publications, and events in 2022.

Youth Storytellers

This year we shared a project that was several years in the making: the Youth Storytellers program. Piloted in 2021, we joined our network partners Association Nourrir Sans Détruire (ANSD) and Vecinos Honduras, to identify interested young people in Honduras and Burkina Faso and provided these young changemakers with basic communications training and equipment to produce brief videos focused on their communities. The Youth Storytellers have documented the lives of smallholder farmers in Groundswell International program communities, including the strategies and techniques critical to their success and the universal elements shared with other farmers around the world, while also emphasizing the improved resilience achieved by these farmers through their use of agroecology. 

The Youth Storytellers shared their stories with their communities via social media to inspire their neighbors into action, but in 2022 we took the opportunity to finalize and translate 15 of the videos they filmed and shared them with you over the course of the year. This program has been successful beyond what we could have imagined, allowing these innovative youths to use communication as a catalyst to drive social change and shape the narrative internationally surrounding agroecology, climate issues, and how to ‘feed the world.’

Watch the videos and learn more about the program on our website or on YouTube, and find entries with a deeper look at the stories featured in these videos on our blog.

Field to Film: A Youth Storytellers Film Festival 

In December, we took our Youth Storytellers program one step further by hosting a virtual film festival, showcasing stories from even more incredible youths throughout Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Honduras, and Nepal. The two-hour, first-of-its-kind event gave even more Youth Storytellers the chance to highlight their work capturing community-led and ecological farming solutions, spreading them locally, and changing the narrative globally on how to tackle hunger, poverty, and climate change.

Read more about the film festival on our blog.

Addressing the Global Food Crisis Through Agroecology: A Series By Chris Sacco

Over the course of Summer 2022, Groundswell International’s Director of Program Management, Chris Sacco, published a four-part article series on LinkedIn examining the roots of the interconnected, worldwide food insecurity and environmental crises and the need to accelerate ecological farming methods as a means to address them. 

Through the series, Chris offered a wealth of important information – including well-researched data – as he offered a critical look at the current, broken global food system and outlined the current food crisis, how the world has gotten to this point, and how we can reverse course. We feel this is an important read for anyone who cares about the future of our planet and the good of our fellow humans, as well as anyone who is interested in why we do the work that we do here at Groundswell International.

Learn more about Chris’ series on our blog and read all four parts on LinkedIn.

Global Conference 2022

During the week of September 19, Groundswell International gathered with our partners from fourteen different countries throughout the world in Andhra Pradesh, India, for our 2022 Global Conference.

The week included field visits and dialogue with the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming program (APCNF) to see how they are scaling agroecological transitions in that state and discuss how we can continue to learn from and collaborate with each other. We met with women farmers, learned about their wide network of self-help groups, and of various techniques to regenerate soil biology and land to improve production, lives, and climate resilience.   

Read a message from our Executive Director, Steve Brescia, summarizing the trip on our blog. We will share more of our experiences and lessons learned from this gathering in 2023.

Farmers’ Knowledge and Seeds in Mexico: Food Solutions via Mexico Seed Project

In 2022, we completed a three-and-a-half-year program in southern Mexico focused on strengthening indigenous farming communities and local NGOs to improve the management of their native seed systems. Groundswell’s Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, Edwin Escoto, provided an overview of the project, which “show[ed] us that feelings of empowerment are growing around working to strengthen local seed systems and bringing focus to those systems’ vital importance for families, not only for consumption, but also for food security”, and the results he witnessed in the field.

Read Edwin’s highlights of the Mexico Seed Project on our blog.

THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY: How Africa can Survive and Thrive

Groundswell International’s Director of Action Learning and Advocacy for West Africa, Peter Gubbels, contributed to “THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY: How Africa can Survive and Thrive,” a book in the Barefoot Guide Agroecology Series. Peter served as both a writer and editor for the book, which examines Africa’s diverse food systems and the impact they have experienced from the current climate crisis and the industrial food system. “The Climate Emergency” also shares stories of hope and regeneration as a result of the use of agroecology from farmers, pastoralists, fishers, indigenous peoples, women, and youth throughout the African continent.

Learn more about the book here, and read a free PDF version here.

“My Food is African: A Campaign to Improve Health and Support Farmers”

We always love to see our staff act to strengthen local alliances and movements, and Peter once again shared his knowledge on agroecology in Africa with IPPMedia for an article titled “My Food is African: A Campaign to Improve Health and Support Farmers”. 

The article, which quotes Peter extensively, discusses the use of agroecology in Africa, the diverse food systems throughout the continent, and the effects of climate change and food industrialization. The article also includes Peter’s reflections on the Uganda meeting of the Citizens and Agroecology working group, which he attended.

Read the article here. 

Report From The Field: Honduras

Groundswell International’s newest staff member, Chandi Guntupalli, Donor Relations Manager, hit the ground running and visited Honduras with Steve Brescia at the end of March 2022 for five days to meet with our partner, Vecinos Honduras, and discuss our plans for the Central American Dry Corridor. 

Chandi documented her first trip into the field on our blog.

Report from the Field: Senegal & Mexico

This summer Groundswell International staff member Ethan Scully, Grants Manager, had the opportunity to witness two of our programs in action during trips to Oaxaca, Mexico, and Thiès, Senegal, that took place over the course of a couple of months. Though on completely different continents with completely different cultures, Ethan found that farmers in Oaxaca and Thiès shared “an overwhelming sense of solidarity and loyalty, not only with other members of their respective communities but also with the land they cultivate,” a testament to what makes agroecology a desirable option for rural communities throughout the globe.

Read more about Ethan’s experiences in the field in a report on our blog.

Support Groundswell International in furthering our progress in 2023

We’re so grateful to our partner organizations and the important work they do on the ground in the communities we serve. We’re also grateful to all those who support Groundswell International and our partners in doing this important work. 

The progress we make each year is made possible by the financial contributions of supporters around the globe. If you’re passionate about increasing food security for rural communities, reversing the effects of climate change and food industrialization, and strengthening communities to build sustainable farming and food systems from the ground up, please consider donating to Groundswell International. 

You can also support Groundswell’s efforts for free every time you shop at Amazon by using AmazonSmile. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and choose Groundswell International as your desired charity, or in the Amazon app find “Settings” in the main menu (☰) and tap on “AmazonSmile” to set your charity of choice. Make sure to visit smile.amazon.com each time you shop on Amazon, and Groundswell International will receive a donation for every qualifying purchase you make, at zero cost to you.

Thank you for joining us in our mission in 2022, we’ll see you in 2023 as we continue our work and share more stories of hope, resiliency, and sustainable solutions from the field!

Youth Storytellers in Burkina Faso: Part 2

Groundswell International collaborated with our partner organizations, Vecinos Honduras and Association Nourrir Sans Détruire (ANSD), to elevate the voices of local youths in Central America and Western Africa, allowing them to drive positive social change and shape the next generation’s global narrative. 

Our newest batch of videos out of West Africa come to us from three more inspired youths from villages throughout Burkina Faso. Through these videos, these youths share how their community members are transforming their lives daily.

Land Transformation Through Agroecology

Training in agroecology has helped members of the Bilanperga village in Burkina Faso to transform their land- and with it their lives- from barren, stony ground to thriving farmland. Farmers like Habibour Lankiande have learned techniques like zai cultivation and RNA to bolster their plants against drought conditions and to help their soil recover between growing cycles. Despite the labor-intensive work, Habibour says agroecology has improved her life, allowing her family to build financial independence, and has helped to foster a deeper partnership with her husband as they cultivate the land together 

Here, Habibour explains the process of zai cultivation and how it has impacted her life.

Watch the video below or on YouTube: 

Organic Farming and Catch Basins

Farmers throughout Burkina Faso continue to see the positive impact of incorporating agroecology techniques into their work. With training and support from ANSD, market farmer Michel Balima has switched from using chemical fertilizers to organic fertilizers, as well as uses a catch basin to collect and store water for his tomato and corn crops. Through these techniques, Michel is able to cultivate healthier crops, even in times of drought, and with enough abundance to sell. 

As a result of his use of agroecology, Michel has transformed his life and that of his family by gaining food security, financial independence, and a new level of pride: “I’m proud of my work. The money I make on tomatoes and corn lets me pay for my children to go to school. I get to take care of my health and deal with family problems.”

Watch the video below or on YouTube: 

Youth Storytellers in Burkina Faso: Part 1

Groundswell International collaborated with our partner organizations, Vecinos Honduras and Association Nourrir Sans Détruire, to elevate the voices of local youths in Central America and Western Africa, allowing them to shape the next generation’s global narrative. We previously shared videos from youths in communities throughout Honduras, and now our first batch of videos out of West Africa come to us from three young storytellers from communities throughout Burkina Faso. Through these videos, our youth storytellers share the triumphs, empowerment, and resilience that they witness daily in their villages with the global community.

A Determined Woman

Association Nourrir Sans Détruire (ANSD) works in Burkina Faso to strengthen the capacity of local communities, especially women farmers, to lead and manage their own agroecology programs by providing training and resources. Burkina Faso native Marceling Sandwidi received training in agroecology and seeds from ANSD, resources she now uses to tend a nursery garden of moringa plants for sale. 

Despite initial challenges, Marceling has been able to generate income to provide for her family while also contributing to her community- the moringa plants she sells have many medicinal uses, including treating high blood pressure. Through Marceling’s nursery, this community is mutually building success.

Watch the video below or on YouTube: 

Farmer Jonas in Burkina Faso

Farmers in Burkina Faso are seeing their fields transformed through the use of agroecological techniques introduced to them by Groundswell International and ANSD. Pokiamo Nadinga and his fellow Burkinabe farmers have trained in water management techniques like utilizing stone contour lines to direct the flow of water to their crops during irrigation. Farmers who have adopted these agroecological techniques have seen a vast improvement in their fields, with Pokiamo saying he sees a notable difference in the success of his crops compared to those of farmers who have neglected to adopt agroecology. 

Through agroecology, Pokiamo has found food security and an increase in quality of life, saying “I have even been able to buy a bull, so honestly I am really doing well.” 

Watch the video below or on YouTube: 

Creating Financial Independence

“I encourage women to get ahead. With ANSD, you will never fall behind.” 

In the Burkinabe village of Silguin, women like Awa Kima are finding empowerment and transforming their lives with the help of ANSD. Describing her life as difficult before ANSD’s intervention, Awa is now building financial independence through selling salt at markets, and has now been able to buy herself a cart and donkey for transporting resources and can afford to pay to send her children to school.

Awa says that she, and other women in her community, are able to live better, more independent lives thanks to continuing support from ANSD.

Watch the video below or on YouTube: 

Youth Storytellers in Honduras: Part 3

Intro / Part 1 / Part 2

Groundswell International collaborated with two of our partner organizations, Vecinos Honduras and Association Nourrir Sans Détruire, to elevate the voices of local youths in South America and Western Africa, allowing them to shape the next generation’s global narrative. Our last batch of videos out of Honduras come to us from three more young storytellers from communities throughout the country. Through these videos, these youths demonstrate the triumphs, empowerment, and lessons learned that they witness daily in their communities.

Women’s Local Market

In Concepción de Maria, Groundswell International and Vecinos Honduras have aimed our efforts on the ground at empowering locals, particularly women, to strengthen their communities both in the economy and the health of their neighbors. Through education in ecological farming and business practices, women entrepreneurs have gained the ability to sustainably farm natural, healthy foods like fruits and veggies and then hold markets to sell those foods, amongst other products, to their neighbors. This has empowered the women of Concepción de Maria to bolster their local economy while improving the health of their families and community.

Watch the video below or on YouTube:

Family Farmers

In communities throughout Honduras, family farmers are solving grain shortage issues by buying local grain and working with Vecinos Honduras to source space and fertilizers and work in collaboration with other farmers in the farmer-to-farmer programs. Growing food locally provides better access to healthy food for these communities and allows locals to provide for their own families without having to rely on chemically or genetically modified commercial offerings.

Watch the video below or on YouTube:

AE Local Resources

Farmers in communities across Azabache, Honduras, are rethinking organic farming and their relationship with the environment thanks to their partnership with Vecinos Honduras. Training from Vecinos Honduras has empowered local producers to develop new ways to provide food to their families and neighbors that don’t contaminate natural resources, including the use of amino acids to strengthen their crops and using microorganisms found in their mountains. Says farmer Pedro Chavarria, through their partnership with Vecinos Honduras, local farmers have “realized that we were really in a part of the world where we had all the resources to work without the need of chemicals.” 

Watch the video below or on YouTube:

Youth Storytellers in Honduras: Part 2

Intro / Part 1

Groundswell International collaborated with two of our partner organizations, Vecinos Honduras and Association Nourrir Sans Détruire, to elevate the voices of young storytellers in South America and Western Africa, allowing them to shape the next generation’s global narrative. The newest round of videos in our Youth Storytellers series comes from some exceptional youths in Honduras.

Income Generation

The Los Cavales Número Uno community of Azabache continues to be empowered by Groundswell International and Vecinos Honduras’ support of local development. In this video, Youth Storyteller Yesica Lagos discusses both her and her neighbors’ experience with Vecinos Honduras’ program, with Yesica describing her involvement with Vecinos Honduras as “one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.” 

With training and support from Vecinos Honduras, Yesica’s community is seeing a regeneration of its local economy as locals find success in various business enterprises- including wood carving, motorcycle workshops, sheet metalworking, and even Yesica’s own snack business- enabling this community to generate their own income and gain independence from outside middlemen. As her community continues to build on its success, Yessica says, “They have left a legacy in our lives, in our communities.”

Hear more in Yesica’s own words by watching the video below or on YouTube:

Yaneth: Local Markets

Youth Storytellers are not only using their videos as a way to illustrate their community successes to the global community but as a call to action to their local communities to participate in their own empowerment and community building. In the area of Guarumas, El Tránsito, and Canadelaria, Vecinos Honduras supports community members in creating local markets that allow entrepreneurs- who have learned skills in their trades through training provided by Vecinos Honduras- to offer their products to the public, growing the local economy and reducing the need to travel to other areas for goods. 

Watch the video below or on YouTube:

Farmer Experimentation

“A producer with vocation is the one who works harmoniously with nature.” 

For decades, farmers in the El Corazon de Maria region of Honduras have felt the hard effects of climate change. Formerly a sawmill called La Sierra, El Corazon de Maria experienced much deforestation that has altered the local environment, creating lasting consequences for the local farmers, their community, and their culture.  

Training from Groundswell International and Vecinos Honduras has taught local farmers better practices for working with the land they live on and adapting the seeds of their ancestors to the current climate situation, allowing them to no longer have to rely on GMO seeds brought in by outside groups, and creating harmony between the farmers and the environment they live in. 

Watch the video below or on YouTube: 

Youth Storytellers In Honduras: Part 1

Intro

The first round of videos in our Youth Storytellers series come to us from some young change-makers in Honduras. Our Youth Storytellers have filmed and edited these videos to demonstrate the successes in their communities. 

Merlin Aguirre

In Honduras, we are working alongside our partners at Vecinos Honduras to foster enterprises at the local level in order to regenerate local livelihoods and build the economies of rural communities. Vecinos Honduras provides education for members of the community, particularly young people, to learn skills and trades that allow them to gain financial independence and bolster their local economy. Through these efforts, over 650 people, including over 70 young people, have been able to form savings and credit cooperatives, mobilizing over $510,800 in savings.

Youth Storyteller Merlin Aguirre is one such youth in the Los Cavales Numero Uno community of Azabache. The son of a single mother, Merlin joined the El Esfuerzo Local Saving and Credit Union youth group Alianza Juvenil at age 20, where he received training from Vecinos Honduras to make metal silos and quickly started expanding his tinsmithing skills. Now, at 26 years old, Merlin owns his own tinsmith shop, Hojalateria La Bendición, where he crafts and sells metal silos, bread recipients, metal tubs, chimneys, accessories for coffee grinding machines, signs, license plate frames for vehicles, and more. Merlin’s skills and entrepreneurship are helping to revitalize his local economy by allowing his neighbors to buy the items they need locally – to store grain to increase food security and gain independence from middlemen, process agricultural products, avoiding smoke contamination from cooking fires in homes, and using motorcycles for local transport.  Merlin is also teaching his craft to other youths to enable his community to build success together.

Watch the video below to see him demonstrate his craft:

Women’s Empowerment

A large focus of Groundswell International’s work is on empowering women in rural communities around the globe. Women in the Concepción de María region of Choluteca in Honduras have been empowered to find their voices and take their places as leaders in their communities thanks to practical training and education from our partners Vecinos Honduras. Community members explain that while women used to feel timid, the education they have received has instilled confidence in them to make their voices heard and has left women feeling that they are now on an equal level with the men in their communities.  

Similarly, community analysis and refection facilitated by Vecinos Honduras has helped everyone in the community to better understand and relate to each other. Many men now see more clearly the contributions that women have always made to their families and communities in so many ways, which has fostered deeper respect and collaboration in the community as men now contribute equally in their homes and families. 
Watch the video below to learn more about how the people in these communities are thriving:

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