family and community. Every night, after a day of managing her family and small business and listening to women, Elsa has vision to ease burdens. “Women in my community worry that smoke from their cooking fires is harming their families.” Elsa got to work. Propelled by the need of women in her community of La Yuca-Florencio, Elsa completed leadership training. Today, she helps women in her community install smoke-free, simple-to-make stoves in their homes. After helping and protecting the health of women and their children during the day, Elsa’s evenings are spent creating the next idea.

stepping up to help create the community and future she wants. First, she started leadership training so she could strengthen her skills and start creating a better quality of life for her family and everyone in the community.

Rosanny found her own way out of poverty through beekeeping and is committed to leading other women forward as well. Training women to beekeep and helping them establish hives is showing the community that women are key contributors to a strong local economy. Rosanny is refusing to follow the path poverty had set for her. She is pioneering a way forward for herself and women like her.

Danny became the sole breadwinner. Undaunted by the challenge, she led her family out of poverty. “Being a leader in my own life showed me it is possible for others too,” says Danny, now manager of the local community-owned bank. Realizing she could lead women in her community of La Yuca-Florencio, Danny honed her natural leadership ability with training. Within a year, she was elected Coordinator of the Community Council.

Today, Danny is leading her community to a brighter future. “We need electricity and light to move forward, so that’s what we’ll do,” says Danny. When the hydroelectric project finishes, both light and opportunity will shine.