Miriam Canto Juarez is a 13-year-old from the community Ocotitlan, Ixhuatlan de Café, Veracruz, Mexico. She takes part in programs run by Coffee Kids partner, Self-Managed Development (AUGE).

"I am part of the children’s savings group called ’Coral,’ this year with the help of Coffee Kids, our group has received training to help us become facilitators, or as we call them, ’promoters.’ We learned about the different types of leadership and other topics like drug addiction, domestic violence, sex education and alcoholism. Since I am also part of a group of women in the GMAS program called ’Las Americas,’ everything I learn with the Coral group, I share with my women’s group

"The ’Las Americas’ group is around 30 women. My mother and one of my sisters are also members. Doña Clara Palma, the coordinator of the GMAS groups and of the children’s savings groups, asked me to share what I learn in my children’s group with the women’s group because it is important to share what you learn. I enjoy this a lot and we use active lessons that are like games and so we learn with more ease.

"Currently, I am studying in secondary school and when I grow up I would like to be a teacher because I really like to teach. The topics that I like most are leadership, because I think that we women can also direct things. And I like to explain things related to the environment because they are very important and because we cannot afford to lose what we have.

"When the women in my group listen to me, I feel great because I don’t feel nervous talking in public. Before I was nervous and scared, but not anymore. I’m not paid for this work, but I gain confidence in myself and now the women in my group know that they can listen to children as well as adults."