From South America to East Africa, the mission started with a seed - “We wish to plant small seeds so they can grow into large trees” - Sister Martha Mganga, Tanzania
In 2012, a seed was planted—not in soil, but in the hearts of women and children living in the shadows of Bolivia’s mining sector. That seed was called U4C (United4Change Center), and its mission was bold: to ignite hope where poverty, violence, and exclusion had long taken root. These early efforts are the foundation of U4C beginnings.
The journey began in Caracoles, a mining community nestled in the rugged terrain of Bolivia. Here, U4C launched its first pilot project: Empowering Women & Families in Mining Communities of Bolivia. At first, it wasn’t just a program—it was a lifeline. Women who had dropped out of school at age 8 or 10, who had never held a book or received basic healthcare, were now learning to read, write, and lead.
“We believed that literacy was more than letters—it was liberation.”
By 2017, over 243 women had enrolled in literacy courses tailored for adult learners. As a result, 78% graduated, and many emerged as community leaders. The ripple effect reached 972 people, transforming not just individuals but entire families.
But literacy was only the beginning.
U4C Beginnings: Maternal Health and Domestic Violence
U4C tackled maternal health and domestic violence head-on. In a country where one woman dies every three days due to gender-based violence, the need was urgent. Through healthcare campaigns, workshops, and training for 25 local professionals, U4C reached 469 women, empowering them with knowledge, support, and dignity. Moreover, by 2017, local clinics reported a marked increase in prenatal care participation—a quiet revolution in community health.
“We didn’t just teach women to read. We taught them to believe—in themselves, in their futures, and in each other.”
Economic Empowerment Through CECAP ‘Bob Reid’ Center
Economic empowerment followed. In Quime, La Paz, U4C established the CECAP ‘Bob Reid’ Center, the first and only Women’s Support and Training Center in the region. Here, more than 300 women graduated from year-long training programs in entrepreneurship, technical skills, and leadership. Consequently, four micro-enterprises were born, and their products—handicrafts, jewelry, and textiles—found homes in local markets and U4C’s global Fair Trade Store.
Expanding Across Oceans: Tanzania Partnership
Then, the seed crossed oceans. In Makiba, Tanzania, U4C partnered with Sister Martha Mganga and Peacemakers for Albinism and Communities (PAC). Here, women—many of whom were single mothers or living with albinism—crafted animal dolls and handmade goods under the scorching sun. As a result, their work, sold through U4C’s online store, funded school supplies, food, and medicine for their children and orphans in the community.
“We wish to plant small seeds so they can grow into large trees” – Sr. Martha Mganga
Global Connections and Early Achievements
These early years were marked by courage, collaboration, and the quiet strength of women who refused to be invisible. With support from Rotary Global Grants, Rotarians and volunteers from the U.S., and universities from Houston, U4C connected communities across continents. The book Hacia mi Porvenir (“Toward My Future”) became a symbol of this movement—an emblem of literacy, maternal health, and the power of partnership.
Furthermore, by 2017, U4C had completed pilot projects in Bolivia and Tanzania, earned nonprofit status, and laid the foundation for a global movement rooted in dignity, equity, and transformation. The seed had sprouted. The roots were deep. Ultimately, and the harvest of hope had only just begun.
Magdalena Zurita
Programs & Innovation Lead, U4C
