As the world faced unprecedented challenges, U4C chose not to retreat—but to rise. From Latin America to East Africa, from North America to Eastern Europe, U4C deepened its partnerships and expanded its programs, multiplying impact across continents and communities.
As the world faced unprecedented challenges, United4Change Center (U4C) chose not to retreat—but to rise. From Latin America to East Africa, from North America to Eastern Europe, U4C deepened its partnerships and expanded its programs, multiplying impact across continents and communities.
Bolivia: Planting Seeds of Peace
In Bolivia, the International Program for Peace (Programa Internacional de Paz, Bolivia) became a beacon of hope for youth historically excluded from civic life. In partnership with NewGen Peacebuilders, Rotary Peace Fellows and the support from Rotary Clubs and District of New Mexico and Bolivia, other peacebuilding organizations, 91 university students across seven cities were trained in leadership, peace education, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ten peace projects were born—three of which took root in La Paz and Oruro. A robust alumni network and resource library continue to nurture these changemakers.
“We believed that peace begins with education—and that young people must be at the center of change.”
Bolivia: Water4All with QBL – Clean Water, Empowered Communities
In partnership with Quaker Bolivia Link, U4C launched Water4All with QBL in 2020 to address the urgent need for safe drinking water and sanitation in Indigenous communities. Through community-led assessments, access to clean water was identified as a key barrier to health, nutrition, and economic growth.
The initiative improved gravity-powered water systems for 1,282 individuals across six communities. Sixty local leaders—many of them women—were trained to manage and maintain the systems, including sanitation and conservation practices.
All beneficiaries were invited to participate in “Soy Agua” workshops, co-designed by Rotary Peace Fellows and local teachers, community leaders and authorities. These culturally relevant sessions taught responsible water use, hygiene, and disease prevention, empowering families and educators to become stewards of health and sustainability.
“Through clean water, we nourish health. Through health, we unlock opportunity.”
Kenya: Healing Through Empowerment
In Kisumu, Kenya, U4C and Women Arise for Positive Change (WAPC) empowered 147 women living with HIV through art therapy, personal growth training, and entrepreneurship. Twenty women were trained as peace leaders, forming 20 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to reduce gender-based violence and foster community resilience. The ripple effect reached over 500 family members, transforming pain into purpose.
“We used art to reclaim dignity, and entrepreneurship to rebuild lives.”
Guatemala: Weaving Peace from the Ground Up
In the village of San José Parrojas, Indigenous women began weaving a new story—one of inclusion, leadership, and healing. The Weaving an Inclusive Community program, launched in 2021, responded to the lingering impacts of civil war and structural inequality. After a successful first cohort, the program expanded to Parramos, where women now lead community development efforts, reweaving the social fabric with strength and grace.
“Peace is not imposed—it is woven, thread by thread, by those who have endured the most.”
Argentina: Elevating Aboriginal Voices
In 2023, U4C launched the Empowering Aboriginal Entrepreneurs program across 19 Indigenous communities in Argentina. Guided by the principle of Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC), the initiative identified local needs and created a Leadership and Small Business Program to support women entrepreneurs and community leaders. In a country rich in cultural heritage yet marked by exclusion, this program is opening doors to economic dignity and self-determination.
“We don’t just support entrepreneurs—we honor ancestral wisdom and build futures rooted in equity.”
Houston: Building Bridges for Women Entrepreneurs
Closer to home, U4C responded to the needs of Spanish-speaking women in Houston. The Empowerment & Entrepreneurship Program offers business education, mentorship, and access to capital—all delivered in Spanish by seasoned professionals. Co-created with local Hispanic women, the program helps participants overcome systemic barriers and grow sustainable ventures.
“Empowerment begins when women are seen, heard, and equipped to lead.”
Colombia: Joining a Humanitarian Project: Hope For Venezuelan Refugees
On the Cúcuta–Pamplona route, U4C joined forces with Rotary Clubs and Rise Against Hunger to support the Hope For Venezuelan Refugees Project. Since 2019, over 859,000 meals have been distributed to migrants and “caminantes.” PPE, hygiene supplies, and handwashing stations helped prevent COVID-19 spread. This humanitarian effort affirms the right to food, dignity, and care for those displaced by crisis.
“Hope is served one meal at a time, with compassion as the main ingredient.”
Ukraine: Delivering Aid Where Others Could Not
In partnership with DataArt, U4C helped launch the Humanitarian Relief Fund for Ukrainians, reaching remote areas often overlooked by major aid channels. The fund provides:
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Shelter for displaced families
- Weekly food deliveries to vulnerable groups
- Internet routers for school bomb shelters
- Clean water for cities like Mykolaiv
- Generators and wood ovens for heat and electricity
- Psychological support for children affected by war
“In the darkest hours, we choose light. In the face of destruction, we choose humanity.”
From peace education in Bolivia to entrepreneurship in Houston, from healing in Kenya to humanitarian aid in Ukraine, U4C’s journey from 2020 to 2022 was not just about expanding reach—it was about deepening roots. Each project, each partner, each participant added a thread to the global tapestry of change.
The wave continues. And U4C rides it—with courage, compassion, and community at its core.
Magdalena Zurita
Programs & Innovation Lead, U4C
