Why We Are Here

LENGUA-LANGUAGE: Spanish

Since Seres started in January 2009 we have been on the ground in Central America, working in the field to build on what the statistics about climate change impacts tell us with real, anecdotal evidence. The latest IPCC and human development reports identify that Central America is a region particularly vulnerable to climate change, however we do not rely solely on reports and statistics. We are guided in a large part by the people and communities with whom we work: using testimonials, feedback and the evidence that is before us to help understand where there is need and demand for what we can offer.

In places where the words “climate change” are seldom used, the tales we hear nevertheless reflect the same story: staple food crops lost in the 2009 drought, coffee that is flowering at the wrong time, farmers who no longer know when to sow and harvest their corn because the wet and dry seasons are shifting. Their questions, such as “how can we fix this?” and “what can we do?” are delivered with the passion and sincerity of people whose very livelihoods are at risk. They are communities who are ready and eager to participate, learn and share in what we bring. They are campesinos that give up valuable days working in the field to volunteer on our projects so that they can learn how to replicate them in their communities. They are people who travel from remote parts of the country to visit our projects, see what we are doing and ask for advice.

More than any scientific evidence, it is these events that demonstrate the importance of our work. They demonstrate that there is both need and demand for what we do. And, most importantly, it is these people, stories and events that day in and day out remind us why we are here – helping people, making a difference, creating positive change, for life.