Cindy, 18, Colombia
Basic need(s):
Education, Environment, Water
Project:
Amoq Pacha
Amoq Pacha –One plant can save the world-
When Cindy was first in high school, a river flooded the entire building. This catastrophe brought on a slew of health issues as well as a general disobedience from the student body, circumstances which upset her on a very deep level. A few months later, Cindy took a trip along the river’s edge and what she saw appalled her. Up and down the tributary were horrible craters and contaminations due to mining exploits and toxic deposits. That’s when she knew; that’s when she was called—“The river called me.” Her response to this calling is a project which strives to empower teenagers by providing alternative past-times focused on environmental protection. It has been wildly successful in keeping teenagers away from guns, drugs, gangs and violence. Through her NGO “Amoq Pacha,” she has managed to work first-hand with high school and college students , skaters, bikers, rappers, artists and dancers by organizing teen festivals and offering community gardening workshops. Currently, Cindy is studying Government and International Relations and had spread her message to more than 600,000 people by partnering with her university and with other NGOs. Finally, Cindy has taken her first step as editor for a magazine called “El Relator” and is a youth advisor in a political campaign in her city. To learn more about Cindy and her work, please visit:
http://www.wix.com/tcindygarcia/amoqpacha
