I'm a woman, leader and citizen of this century.

Edith Chumil, SERES fellow.

Edith Chumil is a young Kakchiquel female leader from Tecpán. She finished her fellowship at SERES in December 2021 and describes her experience this way.

“SERES allowed me to trust myself and my leadership, it has been a path of much learning and development at a personal, professional, community, and above all leadership level, which with the accompaniment and support of the ecosystem was able to face them.”

“It has been a time of incredible opportunities and experiences, meeting young people from different communities, contexts and countries, we are all a network with the same vision, to be agents of change, to create positive changes in our communities.”

“In my community these years have been of support and channeling opportunities for youth, bringing spaces for inclusion, connection and training to many young people who needed to be heard and who are now taking action.”

Edith is the daughter of a family of 3 sisters, she is the only one who lives with her parents, her father Don Nicolas has created a fruit orchard in the patio of his house, where he walks to cut chilies, güisquiles, avocados, peaches and an infinity of species, including ornamental plants, fruit trees, vines and medicinal plants. It is interesting and unusual, nowadays, to live in an urban area that is rapidly becoming populated and following a “development” trend. Edith was only an observer of this favorite activity of her father, until she began to understand the concepts of sustainability, food sovereignty, resilience, care and connection with livelihoods, ecological footprint in the Sustainability Transformative Leadership programs . “It helped me to see the world differently, to start the change by oneself no matter how small it is, that is how the change starts.”

She now helps maintain this space, where laying hens have been integrated and from her experience helps others to value, share and learn from the way of life of their ancestors.

“As a woman leader and citizen I have learned and known a lot about myself, further developing my abilities and skills, getting out of my comfort zone, getting involved in spaces that contribute to change in the different areas of society, I have found myself and know myself more inside; my qualities and weaknesses.”

“I have learned from wonderful women who have inspired me to find my voice, empower myself and learn to overcome the obstacles that as women we face every day and how I can support and replicate what I have learned with the other people around me. ”

“I participated in decision-making spaces, I learned that youth need to be heard and with the need to create spaces for youth, so that they can connect and question the reality of their communities on issues of society, politics, economy and the environment, of In this way, young people reflect and become active, beginning to create changes in themselves and their communities, and this is what Seres does, impact and give opportunities to many young people.”

“The impact of the internship at this stage of my life has been very significant, it has been a space for listening, learning, inclusion, self-knowledge, co-creation, connection and inspiration. Participating in different leadership programs has strengthened my path as a young leader, the opportunity to learn about the stories of many young people and to know that we are putting into practice the tools that they have given us and that we are now carrying out actions in our communities.”

“Creating safe learning spaces and channeling opportunities for youth has filled me with great satisfaction, knowing that in some way he supported and impacted young people and inspired them to create changes for themselves and their communities. I feel committed to continue impacting and inspiring and sharing everything I have learned to younger people in any space where I am.”

We wish you the best in the next stage of your professional life!